Rioca | Hafenschule

In Brazil, nearly 2.3 million children aged 4 to 17 do not attend school, largely due to a pervasive issue: inequality of opportunity. With approximately 6.5% of its population living below the poverty line, Brazil ranks among the countries with the highest opportunity inequality. Families often face the necessity for children to start working early to support themselves, leading many young people to drop out of school and forego education.

In Rio de Janeiro, near the Morro da Providencia region, stands the school of Padre Dr. Francisco da Motta, known to us as the Harbor School.

Classes first commenced in 1897 within the second floor of the San Francisco Church. Brazilian priest Francisco da Motta envisioned expanding education to university levels and relocated the institution to a nearby property, anticipating growth. This location remains where students attend classes today. Over time, adjacent buildings were acquired, forming a larger campus interconnected with the original structure.

In 1985, the German priest Father Eckart assumed leadership of the institution and served as its head for 27 years. Father Eckart and his team secured financial support from both the Brazilian government and German companies to ensure the school’s continuity and further expansion, a critical effort at that time.

Nevertheless, in 2012, the school faced financial difficulties that nearly forced it to close its doors. It was largely thanks to the support of German companies that the school managed to continue operating.

Currently, over 1,000 students aged 4 to 19 attend the institution, which offers education from kindergarten through high school. Father Eckart’s work is now carried on by Sister Evanira de Souza, who particularly focuses on students at risk. The school provides meals, extracurricular activities, and encourages students to complete their education, aiming to keep them away from the streets and crime.

I Live and Rioca has been a part of this story for over 10 years. Our financial support has primarily been used for administrative purposes because the contribution from the Brazilian government unfortunately isn’t sufficient to cover the daily operations of the school. The school’s policy is to welcome every child who wishes to attend, without turning anyone away.

Additionally, our donations have supported infrastructure projects such as restroom renovations and the construction of new facilities. Even though our contributions are modest given the circumstances, we believe they can still help children achieve a better future and escape poverty.