Children in the Itupeva area of São Roque da Chave in Brazil are learning the Key to Life and face a brighter future with better prospects, thanks to the innovative project which won first prize in Akzo Nobel’s Best Practice Competition.
The pioneering art lessons aim to keep youngsters off the streets and prevent them being exposed to drug abuse, traffickers, the risk of pregnancy and the influence of street gangs.
As well as drawing and painting, music and guitar lessons are also organized as part of the project, with the help of coaching from dedicated professionals.
The idea is the brainchild of a group of Akzo Nobel employees. The consortium of colleagues from a number of Akzo Nobel businesses (Surface Chemistry, Polymer Chemicals, Functional Chemicals and Flexsys) – all located near Itupeva – approached the Community Program as a united group with their request for help.
All the children involved in Key to Life are aged between seven and 15 years old and come from socially and economically deprived families. During the daytime they attend local schools, but as most of their parents work it means they are left to their own devices out of hours in one of the poorest communities.
The art lessons are scheduled to take place over a one-year period and aim to trigger hidden talents and imagination, giving the youngsters increased self-esteem and improving their social aptitude. At the end of the year a special Key to Life exhibition is planned to feature their artwork, and where some of the children will also show off their musical talents.
A desire to motivate children to want a better future inspired Chemicals Operator, Antonio Augusto dos Santos to get involved in Key to Life.
Solidarity is a word which means a lot to Antonio, who felt driven to help the poorer members of the community if he could. He is delighted the initiative has won first prize, and says the money will go towards providing a new nursery and community center in the neighborhood to further improve the lives of those living there.
“I felt I should help people and I knew I could. I’ve always loved the idea of solidarity,” he explains. “Key to Life was born because I could see the children had no perspective in their lives and this was a way to give them motivation and a sense of purpose.
''Even if they don’t go into any sort of artistic profession, I hope it will teach them discipline and the capability to face challenges head-on. Developing a sense of responsibility – and punctuality – in them was really hard, but we wanted to show them it was vital to have commitment if they were to succeed.”
“The project has taught me something too – I’ve learned human beings are born capable, and all they need is to be offered an opportunity.”