The story of Mariana

Storytelling van 11 juni 2019

My name is Mariana Barbosa, I am 34 years old and work at the YAZAKI Company in the area of Industrial Production. I have 3 children; Luis Felipe – 15 yrs. old, Luis Eduardo – 12 yrs. old, and João Vitor, 11 yrs. old.

My extended family lives in Sete Lagoas, but we used to live in Prudente de Morais. Our life hasn’t always been easy; however, we were chosen by the government´s housing program “My House My Life” and we moved to Campo de Santana (where CIFAV is located). Our life changed a lot, because we were living in an area very different than before. After a few months, my husband was killed and once again, our lives changed, I found myself with 3 children and a new story to re-start.

I’ve always been mother and father of my children working hard so that nothing was missing and to give them the best. Today the 3 attend the activities at CIFAV and the project has helped me in the education and advice for them.

The boys have been part of the project since when they offered school reinforcement activities. João even had school difficulties. He could not keep up with school activities and it was in the CIFAV that he learned to read and was able to keep up with the other classmates. The CIFAV staff always gave a lot of attention and affection to the boys. There was an opportunity for João Vitor to participate in the “all day school” at the local municipality school but he refused to leave the Project because really enjoys CIFAV. The recently started project for the adolescents is very important because it gives continuity to the care João started to receive as child and today is a pre-adolescent.

My other two children, Luis Felipe and Luis Eduardo took part in the activities at the project when they were younger, but once they became pre-adolescents and there were no activities for them – besides football soccer on Fridays – where my oldest participated, Luis Eduardo did not seem interested. When the opportunity came to start the new activities for adolescents, I was the first mother to fill their registration cards, I knew the importance and the difference that the project had made in their lives.

Today, all three of them participate actively in all activities offered. I can see the difference, they are closer, they expressed themselves better and have broadened their interest for other activities, not just football soccer . They now enjoy participating in the Jiu-jitsu classes, and according to their trainer, “Luis Eduardo stands out because there is a lot of concentration and discipline.”.

I believe that as long as they are , I am ok, I leave home very early for work and I used to worry about how they will be at home, I would be scared that something might happen to them; but now I can go to work at peace because I am sure they are being well taken care off. The children love the project and the ‘Casa Azul’ where they tell me of the games and all the new opportunities to participate and learn are really cool. I see this as a great opportunity because I would never be able to offer them all this.

I am grateful to CIFAV for being part of our lives and especially for supporting me in the care and education of my three children.

Sincerely,

Mariana Barbosa