Educating, coaching and mentoring young people through the art of Capoeira
Since September 2007, Youth For Youth has worked with over 1000 disadvantaged youngsters in East London, UK and Bogotá, Colombia giving them an alternative to drugs and violence.
We have successfully created a Capoeira programme that engages 12-20 year olds who are able to express themselves through martial arts and music and therefore choose a path away from drugs and violence.
English language is taught not only to help the young people to integrate better into society, but also help them communicate with each other and thereby, hopefully, prevent the violence that comes from miscommunication. We hope that with better spoken and written English they will also be able to increase their grades and stay in school or continue onto higher education.
This programme has also managed to increase their attendance in school, their outlook on life and their attitudes towards their peers, their teachers and the world in general. As the instructors and staff are young themselves, we are better able to 'reach' the youth as they can identify with their 'mentors.'
"Since I started teaching Capoeira through Youth For Youth, I have seen hundreds of young people come into our programmes and improve not only their physical health, but also become more engaged, focused and disciplined. The kids joins the programmes out of their own free will and they choose a positive activity rather than engaging in drugs, violence and gangs."
Anderson, Capoeira Coach, Youth For Youth
In London we currently work closely with Newham council and Pupil Referral Unit New Directions. We run after school programmes in East Ham and Stratford together with Community Links, and we deliver PE at PRUs and Secondary schools. In Bogotá, Colombia we inaugurated our first Youth For Youth academy in November 2007 in the presence of Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden and Colombia's First Lady, Lina María Moreno Mejía. The project had over 300 young people attending weekly.
"If it wasn't for Capoeira, I would be in a fight today. I don't want to be in a gang but if there is nothing else to do, I get in trouble." - Student, 16
"The coach told us about the effects that smoking, drugs and alcohol would have on my body, and we all realised how difficult it would be participate in the activities if we did those things. It really made us think." -Student 16
"At YouthForYouth, the staff are young and fun. I feel like the youth worker and the coach understand the things we go through. I feel at home and I feel safe when I am participating in their programmes." Student 15
When evaluating our pilot project in London in 2007, our findings have shown that the youth, who come from all over the world (Nepal, The Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Portugal, Brazil etc) have found a common interest, a common ground where the instructor has laid the ground rules for participation; no drugs, no smoking, no alcohol, no fighting (unless training) and to accept each other for who they are, irrespective of culture, religion, race, etc.
The feedback from Newham council has been 100% positive.
We are currently developing more partnerships and programmes both in Newham and other boroughs. During the summer of 2009 we run a summer camp in collaboration with Newham council. In September we will begin a new project called MentoringYouth, where we train young people from previous programmes to become youth leaders and coaches within our organisation.
"There are noticeable changes in this student's self-esteem and confidence.
Capoeira has meant for a number of young males that they have turned away from peers who had a negative influence
In becoming more fully involved in Capoeira and its extra-curricular activities, they have now dissociated themselves from gang-related activity...
attending the Capoeira program, as to how school could be improved for them; as well as support young people to address issues of cannabis and smoking usage as well as issues around sexual health."
- Newham Council Feedback
Youth For Youth Achievements
Youth For Youth programmes have helped over 1000 young people to choose a drug free non violent activity after school since 2007.
90% of the young people we come in contact with continue to participate every week in our programmes.
At least 80% of the young people in CapoeiraYouth have stopped smoking, drinking and drug use since participating in our programmes.
Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art and dance originating from the slaves. It is a multi dimensional sport, which incorporates acrobatics, dancing, martial arts, self-defence, balance, strength and music (playing instruments, and singing.) Participation gives young people a sense of direction and purpose. Capoeira is a sport whose emphasis is on participation.
© 2008 - 2009, Youth For Youth. UK Registered Charity Number 1126792.
