What distinguishes Brazilian society today is not only that 31% of the population, 51 million people, lives in abject poverty, but the extraordinary income gap between the rich and the poor. According to the World Bank Indicators for 2001, the income distribution index of Brazil ranks 6th of 152 nations. (The other 5 nations were all in Africa.)This income disparity is perpetuated by the educational system in Brazil which favors those who can afford expensive private schools and discriminates against those who cannot.

Although public school education is mandatory in Brazil through 8th grade, the reality is that of 100 students entering elementary school, only 59 actually finish 8th grade. Illiteracy remains a significant problem even among those who finish school. In the year 2000, 16% of the country, 24 million people, was illiterate. Another 6% of the children, mostly from poor and rural communities, had never attended school.

While the public universities of Brazil are free, entrance is based on an extremely competitive exam called the “vestibular” which measures knowledge of all material covered in high school. The public school system, plagued with overcrowded classrooms and a high drop out rate, cannot adequately prepare those students who remain in school for the exam. The cycle of poverty is perpetuated with no solution in sight.

The Stone Flower Foundation goal is to offer high caliber supplemental education to the poor children of Brazil. The result of our efforts should be the breaking of the cycle of illiteracy and economic inequity. Children who attend Quero Ser should have better job opportunities and ultimately a better standard of living. It is our goal that the local communities and businesses of Brazil will begin to embrace and sustain this educational model that ultimately re-invests in the future of the country.