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Newsletter Fight for Peace
Viva Rio launches the temporary site of the new
Fight for Peace Sports and Education Centre
in the Complexo da Maré favela
Supported by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, it is expected that the new centre will be used by around 150 children and teenagers between 7 and 25 years old. The new centre offers free classes in boxing, capoeira and wrestling, as well as mentoring and parallel courses in citizenship.
A gym and weights room ‐ boasting the latest equipment on the market ‐ was also be unveiled in the new centre. Financed by the Canada Fund, the facilities will be open to all members of the community. The new centre will also generate an income for the project making it partially self-sustainable.
Thanks to the partnership with NTD events, seven tonnes of food were donated to Fight for Peace and distributed to 630 families in the Complexo da Maré. The donation counted on the support and the voluntary assistance of the youngsters participating in Fight for Peace, who gave a moving demonstration of citizenship.
As part of ongoing efforts to help youngsters get a foot in the door of the job market, Fight for Peace has teamed up with Hortifruti, a fruit and vegetables delivery service. Many congratulations to Luciano and João Vitor, who have taken advantage of the opportunity and are now working with Hortifruti. Five youngsters were also included in the project’s coordination team - Vitor, Sinval, Daiana, Juliana and Daniel - their dedication is a great example to us all.
In addition, Sinval and another project member, Carol, took part in the Project Youth Seminar organized by IBASE. Carol also took part in a seminar on non-discrimination supported by Save the Children. Rafael traveled to Geneva for a meeting with the NGO Advisory Panel for the UN Study of Violence Against Children. Carol, Rafael, Daniel and Luciano also became members of the “I’ve Got Attitude” network, which monitors the implementation of targets set by the Brazilian Federal Government in its “Child Friendly Action Plan”.
And to cap it all, some sporting news! Weder, our first heavyweight, had his debut in an event promoted by the Rio de Janeiro State Boxing Federation (FBERJ) in the town of Miguel Pereira. It was a great debut even although Weder lost narrowly by decision (3-2).
Vitor Belo, a lightweight, also narrowly lost a close fight on Saturday 29 May, at the Nautical Club of São Cristóvão, in the Fight for Peace season opener. The next fights are due to take place on 31 July, 25 September and 27 November.
On 12 May, João Batista (18), another Fight for Peace member, travelled to London to take part in an exhibition fight. The “Heroes for Six Minutes 2” White Collar Boxing show was organised by The Real Fight Club and held at the York Hall in Bethnal Green. Part of the money raised at the event will go towards construction of the Fight for Peace Sports and Education Centre to be built during 2004. João’s participation in the event was covered by The Times newspaper, in the article “Boxing Clever, Rio’s Youth Swap Guns for Gloves”, published on 3 May.
We hope to bring you more punchy news during the year! | 
