The following pictures were taken by a Virginia United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) team that visited Brazil. The pictures were taken in and around the People's Central Institute in Rio de Janeiro, a large center serving at-risk children from the nearby favelas (slums). It is one of the oldest social programs of the Methodist Church in Brazil and was the recipient of part of the Virginia Conference's 2005 Annual Conference Offering. The pictures were provided by Dot Ivey, president of the conference Board of Global Ministries.
Retired GBGM Missionary Marion Way shared with Virginia UMVIM team.
People's Central Institute main building.
Favelas (slum areas) from which children come to the institute.
Favelas
Favelas
Child and worker anticipate visitors.
Mural at institute.
Child and worker look down from window of kindergarten area.
Outdoor play area at the institute.
Entrance to nursery/kindergarten area.
Children prepare for lunch.
Children prepare for lunch.
Children prepare for lunch.
Children prepare for lunch.
Child at the institute.
Child at the institute.
Children at the institute.
Team member Justin Williams assists child with bib.
Lunchtime.
Lunch preparation.
Children's bathroom at institute.
Individual storage area for children.
Book bags.
Lunch time.
Justin Williams visit with a child.
Lunch time.
Dan Ivey with child at institute.
Worker feeds child.
Team member Beth Thrombiano with visits child at institute.
One of the children's classes.
One of the children's classes.
Nap time at the institute.
Nap time at the institute.
Nap time at the institute.
Nap time at the institute.
Children greet the team of visitors.
Marion Way and the director of the institute.
This poster reads, "The light at the end of the tunne." Some children reach the institute by traveling from the slums (favelas) through a tunnel.
Favelas
Tunnel through which some children travel to reach the "light" at the institute.
