Teenagers in hopeless circumstances easily end up in prostitution or crime. In Brazil, this is a major problem. Theft, drug sales and teenage pregnancies are common. To protect young people from a life on the streets, youth centre Jardim Colonial in Castro started the course Preparing for the Future. They organise it together with local churches. Inspired teachers train young people in social skills, planning and organising, handling money, computer skills and applying for a job. This gives them a better chance of getting a fair job. Antony (pictured second from right) is one of those young people who has the prospect of a more hopeful future again.
Being loved
Antony's parents are divorced. His mother is a cleaner in a hospital and she works hard to give her son a better life than she has had herself. Antony's father has little time and attention for him and often cancels appointments at the last minute. Antony has hardly any contact with him and even grew to dislike his father because of this absence. A psychologist at the youth centre counselled him to accept his father. That helped. Antony also gained more appreciation for his mother. He has come to realise that he is very important to her and that he is especially loved by God.
Safety
Slowly but surely, he has learned to deal with his pain and grief. This does not mean that life has immediately become easy. Last year, he fell in love with a girl who was already dating a rather violent boy. He had participated in a play in which he married that girl at the end. It landed him death threats from the girl's boyfriend. A report was filed and the youth centre offered a listening ear and counselling. Still, it took Antony more than a year to come out of his shell and feel safe again.
Perspective
Antony learned to work from his mother at an early age. During the holidays, he started selling homemade bread. That went well; Antony can bake well. From the money he earned, he bought school supplies and a bicycle. He would really like to start his own business, and that desire grew even more during the youth centre's course.
