The aims of our organization, the Afro-Brazilian Arts & Cultural Exchange Institute, is to use the arts, Music, dance, martial arts, performing arts and language learning as the vehicle of education and the inspiration for people in the community. Our activities are aimed to support young people of all ages and backgrounds to develop their skills in order to have a better chance to integrate in the community and a better future; as a result of our activities we are aiming to reach our outcome of building stronger relationships within the community and break barriers among members of the community coming from different backgrounds and cultures, facilitating their social inclusion and keeping young people out of the streets, away from drug abuse and gang formation and to guide them towards their educational development and job acquisition.

What we'll deliver:

• Skills development
• More active and healthier communities
• Social inclusion of disadvantaged members of the community

Why it's a great idea:

Half of Southwark's children live in poverty and the number of children in need is double the England average: The children and young people of Southwark' are subjected to instability, neglect, uncertain future, poverty, lack of opportunities, drug abuse, abuse, crime and gang mentality. Our project aims to support vulnerable children in their educational development and skills acquisition as well as in their integration in the society and development of sense of belonging to a group. We run educational sessions in which children learn music, arts, and languages and have the chance to practice martial arts, dance, theater and sports, which will improve their chances of success in the school and have a better future. We also work with families and children coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and minority groups that find hard to integrate in the society or are at risk of social exclusion and we support them towards their integration in the community.

Steps to get it done:

• Free weekly sessions that comprises of the Martial Arts Capoeira and associated arts.
• Outdoors workshops and summer camps to promote children and young people's social inclusion
• Outreach programme to include all members of the community, including those with disabilitie

We have the goal to raise £12,000 which is the annual cost of the venue where we run the activities for children, families, young people, children with disabilities, all women projects, over 50's and vulnerable adults.