Brazil’s harbour cities – hope and misery side by sideAs early as the 16th century, Brazil’s harbour cities were hubs of the intercontinental trade in goods and people. Today they attract the migrating rural population who hope to find a better life in the cities, often in vain.

The harbour cities Salvador da Bahia, Fortaleza, Natal, Recife, São Luís and Belém in the north-east of Brazil were arrival points of the ships carrying African slaves, and later European immigrants, for three centuries. The same ports were also exit points for the goods grown in Brazil, thanks to slave labour, and desperately expected in Europe; such as cotton, rubber, sugar and precious metals of any kind.

Project focus

About one third of all Brazilians live in the north-east of the country. The region’s culture is very diverse. It grew under the influence of the Portuguese colonial rule, the African culture of former slaves and, last but not least, Indian influence. The migration of the rural population and the subsequent increasing urbanisation is one of the society’s urgent problems. More and more especially younger people want to flee from the sparse life in the country and try their luck in the urban centres along the coast. This has serious consequences – they find neither a job nor housing; in fact, nobody wants them there. Consequently the slums or favelas at the outskirts of the urban areas are growing rapidly. There is no turning point in sight. Brazil’s north-east is the country’s poorhouse.

Partners

Due to the huge poverty divide in north-east Brazil, and the important historic connection with the transatlantic slave trade, we are currently focussing our project scouting on the area of São Luís in San Marcos Bay. However, we are not yet excluding other places further in the north. We have been in touch with local NGOs in São Luís since 2007. We visited the area for the first time in May 2007. There is a strong need for project support in the slums of São Luís’ suburbs, but also with the black communities in the surrounding areas. We have received initial project proposals for culture and youth work in the slums, but need to further look into them. There was a second visit to the region in March 2008, and we will be able to report about the concrete project proposals by 2009.

Target groups

Young people between ages twelve and twenty-four are our target groups. We want to help them find the way to leave their misery. We are thinking of supporting local groups, organisations and individuals who will take care of the youth, provide them with an adequate daily structure and practical training. We are also thinking about activities in sport, environment issues, music and cultural activities in general. The professional commitment of a local partner will be crucial for successful projects.