For some children, music embodies hope for future

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FOR SOME CHILDREN, MUSIC EMBODIES HOPE FOR FUTURE

October 28, 2001

Standing on a street corner in the United States, you might hear music reverberating out of a nearby car window or see someone listening to a song on headphones. If you asked a teen what music is, the response probably would be that it is a form of entertainment.

In Brazil, you are likely to see groups of kids on the streets using their hands as drumsticks to keep the beat on tables and chairs. If you asked them what music is, you would get a response similar to that of Adenilton Iliveira, 20, of Salvador: "Music to me is like water, food, air. I wouldn't have a life without music."

Music means more to Brazilian youths than just entertainment: It is an essential part of Brazilian life. Because of the power of music in Brazilian culture, many organizations use it to reach out to the hundreds of children working or living on Salvador's streets.

"It's a way of thinking of the world. For me, music is my language," said Robert de Lima, 20, who like Iliveira is a student at Pracatum, a music school.

Some of the most distinctive music in the world has come together in Brazil, combining native Indian rhythms, melodies by the Portuguese colonists and African songs from the 8 million slaves brought into the country by the Portuguese, until slavery was abolished in 1888.

Each region of Brazil has its own sound, which plays a part in its identity. The two main centers of the music industry are Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.

Over the past several years, Salvador has surpassed Rio as the music capital of the country. The influence of African culture is especially evident in Salvador, once the main port for the importation of slaves.

DiDa is a music school and band started in 1993 by Antonio Luiz Alves de Souza, who is considered "the god of percussion" by some Brazilians. In addition to music, the program also provides help on homework assignments, meals and shelter to some students.

"Music for me is a way to get to a good life, a better life," said Max de Fonseca, 13, a former street kid from Brasilia who now belongs to DiDa. "Music is giving me the strength to go on with my life."

One of the most popular types of music in Salvador is axO, incorporating samba, rock, soul and other musical influences. Taking advantage of this popularity is a nationally known organization called Projeto AxO, which was started in 1990 to provide human rights and education to children working or living in the streets of Salvador.

At one location, Projeto AxO teaches children how to make recycled paper, then helps them find jobs using that skill when they are old enough.

"I was 13 when I first came here. I used to hang out on the streets, but I wasn't actually a street kid. Once I started coming to Projeto AxO, I realized how different my vision of the world could be," said Jefferson Sosaza, 18.

Carlinhos Brown grew up in Candeal Pequeno, one of the poorest areas of Salvador. Since becoming one of the most popular artists in Brazil, he has led many projects to help improve the community, including Pracatum School of Professional Music. Students go to Pracatum for half the school day, then attend public schools.

"We are in here to study the music we love, and not because we just want something to do,'' said de Lima. "I think Pracatum is the best thing that has ever happened. I have learned how to respect music."

"Here, I have the respect of all citizens and I know how to respect everyone in the same way," added Iliveira.

Brazil's passion for music extends even to the young people in its prisons. Comunidade de Atendinento Socio-Educativo, the minors' prison in Salvador, is for youths under age 18, with maximum sentences of three years. Inmates have used their enthusiasm for music to create a prison band for themselves and other inmates, with the help of their supervisors.

"Through percussion, I've been able to connect with a kind of spiritual power that's helped me move to a more positive state of mind," said an 18-year-old inmate who didn't want his name used.

The prison even brings in a percussion teacher twice a week.

Whether youths in Salvador have families to go home to, whether they are in prison or free, music holds much more importance in their lives than for many young people throughout the world.

Said another inmate, 20: "When we play, there is such a positive energy that it feels like I go out of here to all the positive places in the world. "

ASSISTANT EDITORS: Stephanie Hull, 16; Emily Jacobi, 18; Brian Reissaus, 15; Clay Smith, 14; and Emma Hulse, 14.

REPORTER: Maria Srour, 13.

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