MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Family Reintegration

In 2006, we carried on the mission of strengthening family ties by reintegrating two children; Daniele, 16 years old, and Juliana, 13, returned home to their father at the end of the year. The girls joined Nova Iguaçu’s public school system. Daniele finished 8th grade and will enroll hairstyling technical school; Juliana finished 6th grade; and the two were placed under state follow-up medical care. They were taken to the Support Project, which aims to provide ongoing assistance from the Viva Cazuza Society, through monthly visits to the institution for health checkups, education, and the monthly donation of a basic staples basket.

Education

Our partnership went on with Luiza Abranches private school. Located at Rua Paissandú 384, Laranjeiras, the private institution offered three quarters monthly tuition scholarships and consequently a higher level of education to 15 children who in 2006 attended 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Again, English lessons were available at the school, to all children from 5th grade on. The consistent effort from educators - with the objective of monitoring school work - improved students performance enrolled in the private school and lowered the rate of reinforcement work. Four kids took basic computers at FAETEC. And we build a newspaper and plastic bottle recycling plant.

Health

Children receive follow-up medical care three times a week or whenever necessary, with 100% attendance. Another adolescent began treatment with the drug FUSEON, for no longer responding to old anti-retroviruses strategies.

Activities Carried Out

1. The Support Home began 2006 with 20 sheltered children and ended the year with 18 kids under internship.
2. By December 2006, 480 medical visits had taken place – 430 exclusively to monitor and control HIV and 50 general medical visits.
3. 40 dentist visits.
4. 200 psychotherapy sessions.
5. 100 phono sessions.
6. 36,000 meals served.
7. Specific Aids medication supply as well as general medicine whenever necessary.
8. They all take capoeira classes on Fridays.
9. 11 children are taking ballet class, at the institution, to a total of 48 classes in a year, and performing at a public State Health Secretary event.
10. 8 children took private English classes, at the institution, to a total of 96 classes per year.
11. Small children attend Public System Municipal school.
12. 4 children took a class in basic computers at FAETEC, with two weekly classes, for a six-month period;
13. The team hired by Viva Cazuza is made up of: 1 project manager and coordinator; 3 supervisors; 1 pedagogue; 1 social assistant; 5 assistant nurses,5 educators/care-takers, 2 cooks, 3 janitors, 1 laundry attendant, 2 security officers.
14. Viva Cazuza maintains a technical team of volunteer professionals comprised by an AIDS specialist physician, a psychiatrist, a neurologist, an otorrinolaringologist, a dermatologist, an ophthalmologist, 4 dentists, 12 psychotherapists, 5 phonoaudiologists, 3 psycho-pedagogues a physical therapist, a nutritionist, and a pedagogue.
15. The age bracket of sheltered children is 2 and 16 years. With a low children turnover, we opted for building family structure among children and/or caretakers, passing on to them the notion of a home and/or family that takes place inside the institution.
16. On weekends, we promote social integration through outdoor trips to parks, beaches, theatres, movies, fast food and restaurants.
17. Cultural activities inside and outside the school.
18. Speaking events in schools, private and public, to students, hoping to abate prejudice and improve social coexistence.
19.. Social support to family members of children and employees of the Home; orientation meetings to induce those who carry the HIV virus to adhere to health services; assistance in obtaining disability transportation passes, retirement pension, and medication supply when necessary or whenever in short supply at health stations, as well as donation of basic staples baskets to those in need.