THE CONTEXT OF YOUR INITIATIVE

“Serve first those who suffer most, serve first those in greatest need”.

It was to respond to this call from Abbé Pierre that the Emmaus group in Recife decided to set up a service for young people on the outskirts of Recife – these young people have no chance of entering the labour market.

The main aim of Emmaus Recife’s vocational training school is to offer young people the chance to learn a profession that can enable them to improve their personal and social living conditions, whilst at the same time becoming aware of their role as a responsible citizen in helping to build a fair and fraternal society.

THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT AS PART OF YOUR INITIATIVE

The school welcomes 80 young people and offers professional training courses: electricity, refrigeration, electronics, and computer construction and maintenance.

At the same time, young people are trained in citizenship and social engagement.

WHO IS INVOLVED FROM OUR GROUP?

Firstly, all young people and their families.

On behalf of Emmaus: four staff and two volunteers.

WHICH PARTNERS ARE YOU WORKING WITH ON THIS INITIATIVE?

We have a local partner, the university of Recife, two professors are present to provide personal training.
We also have financial cooperation with two groups of Italian friends.

We started out in 1998, firstly with carpentry courses, without any premises, simply to help some young people.

After six years, we managed to build suitable premises with clean working areas.

As there was no longer any demand for carpentry courses, we replaced this course with the electronics courses.

The procedure for attending the school involves registering, basic Portuguese and maths tests, and selection.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Based on the positive experiences so far we plan to set up other courses (IT, management) and services for the local population (library).

SHARE YOUR PROGRESS AND THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THIS INITIATIVE

The most positive outcome has been that, when most of the young people leave our school, they’re ready to enter the world of work and are aware of their role as citizens.
At the same time, the educational activity raises our profile in the town, meaning Emmaus’s work is recognised and valued.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE?

Both our groups of Italian friends and the Emmaus groups in general know about our school.

WHAT ARE YOUR PROSPECTS?

Improving the physical structure and above all ensuring that teaching and training is carried out by former pupils of the school.