We have chosen to begin our journey in the small town of Sao Roque, not far from Sao Paulo. As a rural and poor community, Sao Roque’s educational statistics are consistent with that of greater Brazil. Only 65% of those students starting elementary school remain to complete 8th grade. As is the case in most of the public schools, students are promoted to the next grade based on attendance, not on mastery. Of those students who complete 8th grade, almost 20% score a failing grade on annual national tests. They are still considered to have “passed” 8th grade, even though they may virtually have no reading or math skills.

Our initial project, a supplemental school, Quero Ser Institute, was created to provide the poor children of this community an opportunity for successful education through long term supplemental education and support. Eighty children between the ages of 7 and 13 were selected as an initial group. The target school entrance age, 7 years old, was selected because that was the youngest age educators felt children could safely travel to and from the school.

Our 2006-2007 goal is to provide this initial group of 3rd to 6th graders, who were selected on criteria established by the Institute staff in collaboration with the public school, with supplemental courses to complement their regular public school education. These courses include computer skills, English language, math, study skills, basic hygiene education and cultural projects in music and art. Additionally, these boys and girls are provided the opportunity to participate on a sports team, regardless of ability or gender. Tutoring in core academic areas is also provided on an individual basis.

In the 2007-2008 academic year Quero Ser Institute will expand to 3rd to 7th grade, retaining the group already admitted and adding an incoming class of 3rd graders. 2008-2009 will continue to support the admitted students into the next grade and admit another incoming class of 3rd graders. At the end of this, our first school year (2007), the Quero Ser Institute staff, local advisory board, and the Stone Flower Foundation will meet to evaluate the program as well as our short and long range strategic plan.

The school, the Quero Ser Institute, has a very limited paid staff of 3 professionals supplemented by a large group of community volunteers. The model for this supplemental school relies heavily on the relatively novel and unfamiliar concept in Brazil of community support and volunteerism. Despite the novelty of the community based model, we were thrilled to see the community respond to the needs and vision of this endeavor. Land and a structure for the school were donated for the start-up year. Over 25 local area teachers volunteered time. Local medical specialists have also responded with their time and resources. Within the first 3 months of operation, all students received dental and eye exams. (Fourteen children required eye glasses; several needed and will be receiving dental work, and 2 students received repairs for their broken hearing aids.) Businesses within the neighborhood and school community are now being asked to help out financially or with much needed supplies. This emerging spirit of community volunteerism and charitable support is essential to our model. As with any cultural shift much education and outreach is necessary. The Quero Ser Institute team continues to meet with members of their local community toward this end. Our goal is to find a working balance between corporate support and volunteerism.

Ultimately as our model matures over time, our objective is to transfer full financial support for this educational model back to these neighborhood professionals, teachers, and community businesses. We also hope that the Quero Ser model can be replicated in other neighborhoods in the Sao Roque area and perhaps one day begin to change the social contour of this country through better and more meaningful education for their poor.

Our hope is that the successful education of these children will inspire others to follow this path of education and in doing so afford themselves and their families a better life. We hope that these youth not only transform their own lives but also return to improve the social conditions of their community.