AACA Association for Children and Teenagers

ACAA started out life as a government funded project 13 years ago. The aims of the project were to provide a safe and healthy environment to give children and young people a place to go to enjoy their childhood and build life and socisl skills. The oppertunity to learn skills to help get employment were also on offer.

Shortly after the project started the Government abolished the funding stream in favour of a new project. In Guaxupé the sucsess of the project to its service users and the Rotary club of the city decided to keep the project alive.

Facilities

Provision for 6 to 14 Year Olds

The facility has a buliding doley for this age group that cobsists of a number of rooms, some with classroom style facilities, a sports area with basketball court and a dining area.

The children come here after or before they have attended regular school for the day and their time here provides a meal.

The alternative for these children and that of the age bracket 14 to 18 is often no meal and hanging around on the streets where there is exposure to all kinds of dangers.

Provisions 14 to 18 Year Olds

We were shown the facilities for this age bracket in detail as we have now on our travels seen s few facilities for the younger groups.

Environmental Learning

We were taken along a windy track  through a mini jungle which took us past an abundance of wierd and wonderful plants and creatures to an opening which was impressive.
In the clearing in this jungle environment was the location of an environmental classroom made from tree stumps.

It is an original way to leatn about nature and the environment, right in the heart of it.

Information Technology

Computer and internet access are available for recreation and also computer skills are taught to provide job skills.

Textiles

Three times a year a textiles course is ran to teach service users how to make underwear. The course runs for 3 months. The course, like the facility is for young people at social risk at social risk. The products of underwear aee sold at a local trading town where buyers for exportation purchase the products. The produce is also sold at a low price for people in the community with social risk for a small price.

Profits get put back into the running of the project to help maintain the project and there is tax relief as it is a social project.

Cooking

Bread making is taught here. The bread making gives the teenagers a skill which is valuable in the large bread industry here.

Other Activities

The project also provides a place for children to do extra study if they are struggling in an area at school.
Basic hygene and health is taught.
Excersise and sports sessions are ran here.
Sharing and compassion is emphasised throught the school and good behaviour was evident to us.