Escola de Circo Pequeno Tigre - Núcleo São Gonçalo - RJ The Small Tiger Circus School (Escola de Circo Pequeno Tigre ECPT) is part of the Social Programe Crescer e Viver (Grow and Live). Which supports the United Samba School of Porto da Pedra which started its activities in January 2002 with an art-education project in the social circus area. This project uses a circus-arts methodology in combination with other artistic and cultural programs (dance, capoeira, music, theater and literature) for the integral development and promotion of citizenship with children and youth at risk. Besides that, the ECPT dedicates special attention to networks related to the implementation of their activities, the optimization of the care to their attendee’s and the expansion of their capacity through other mediums in society. They aim to develop public policies which guarantee and promote human, economic, social and cultural rights. In a short time the ECPT has turned into one of the most respected and recognized circus programs in Brazil, supporting 80 children and youth in São Gonçalo city. The activities developed at the project are free and take place at the CIEP Pastor Valdemar Zarro, six days a week. Besides the circus activities the attendee’s enjoy medical care and attend debates on issues related to citizenship such as environment, drugs, violence, rights, sexual and education. The school’s main concern is with the development and achievements of their activities. Therefore, they promote weekly meetings with all their teachers, where they get to discuss the class-planning, the problems and ways to improve the education of the youth. There are also monthly meetings to make evaluations of all the activities. Another important characteristic is the existence of a co-supportive commission, where they discuss the responsibility for the activities and the students themselves can participate, conducting the management of the institution in a democratic and open way. The ECPT is also in charge of the creation of a circus troupe, in which most of the participants are at the National Circus School improving their skills. The troupe gives presentations at various sites in Rio de Janeiro and even outside of the state. The youth then receives financial support, which enables them to help their families. In 2005 the Grow and Live Program was selected as a finalist for the Criança Esperança (Children’s Hope) at the Ministry of Culture for the 2005 Itaú-Unicef Award.           In 2003 Dreams Brasil donated R$ 6.750 to the development of the school’s activities;        In 2004 Dreams Brasil donated R$ 33.606 for the creation of the Rio de Janeiro nucleus;         In 2005 Dreams Brasil donated R4 20.000 to the development of the school’s activities;         In 2006 Dreams Brasil still gives financial support to the ECPT. Website: www.crescereviver.org.br

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