This project will help: 50 children and youth
Estimated completion date: March 2026
Country: Brazil
Executive summary
In today’s modern world, computer literacy is a critical skill for children and youth, shaping their access to future educational and employment opportunities. However, many of the children and youth Compassion’s frontline church partners serve in Brazil have limited access to computers and an Internet connection.
Families living in poverty struggle to access basic necessities, such as nutritious food, clean water and safe housing. These families do not have the funds to purchase computers, laptops or monthly Internet subscriptions. Although most public schools do have computer labs, many are underutilized—computers are often locked away in isolated rooms and students rarely are able to use them. While older teachers use the Internet to plan their lessons, they have not incorporated the use of the Internet and computers into their classrooms as a learning tool for students. In addition, many teachers have not been trained on computer use and do not have the knowledge needed to teach children basic computer skills.
Without access to computers and the Internet at home or at school, young people often look for low-cost cybercafés to use social networks, play online games and browse the Internet. These cafés are unsupervised and offer unrestricted access to everything on the Internet—putting children and youth at risk of exposure to inappropriate content and online exploitation. Without guidance or training in a safe environment, these students are not learning the essential computer skills they need to thrive in the digital age.
Centre staff at the BR0561 Compassion centre in the northeast region of Brazil know the importance of computer literacy to students for work, education and communication and want to help the students they serve develop computer skills. However, with limited resources, they can’t do it on their own.
This intervention will establish a computer lab at the BR0561 Compassion centre. The lab will be equipped with 10 computers, computer desks and chairs. An air conditioning unit will be installed to help cool the equipment and ensure students are comfortable while working in the room. Additionally, 50 students will attend computer classes, where they will learn essential digital skills such as typing, Internet navigation and safety and how to use key programs like Microsoft Word.
Summary
Background
Compassion works alongside many frontline church partners in the northeast region of Brazil, serving more than 16,000 young people age 15 to 21 through comprehensive development programs in the states of Ceará, Maranhão, Piauí, Paraíba, Pernambuco and Alagoas. Young people make up a significant portion of the population in this region, with 37 per cent between age 15 and 29.
In these regions, young people face significant socioeconomic vulnerability, with unemployment rates among those age 18 to 24 reaching 31 per cent in 2021—more than double the national average of 14 per cent. Our church partners, including those at BR0561, have found that many children and youth lack access to quality education, training opportunities from qualified professionals and adequate infrastructure in their communities, which impacts their ability to find meaningful employment as they enter adulthood.
The need
At the BR0561 Compassion centre in Brazil, many children and youth lack access to modern technology, including computers and a reliable Internet connection. These young people live in poverty and do not have computers they can use at home. Even at school, computer use is limited and infrequent, forcing young people to turn to unregulated cybercafés to access the Internet.
With your generous gift, the BR0561 centre will be able to set up a new computer lab, outfitted with the equipment students need to learn vital digital skills. The lab will be equipped with computer desks and chairs, 10 computers and other educational materials and supplies needed to teach students crucial computer skills. Your support will also allow 50 students between age 5 and 18 to attend computer classes, where they will learn how to use a keyboard and mouse, safely navigate the Internet and use Internet browsers, maintain computer hardware, use keyboard shortcuts and use programs such as Microsoft Word.
The new computer lab will provide a safe and comfortable space that inspires children and young people to develop the skills they need to thrive in school, pursue future job opportunities and navigate an increasingly digital workforce.
What your gift will do
Your generous gift will create a new computer lab at the BR0561 centre in Brazil and provide computer classes for a group of registered students, including:
- Computer lab at BR0561
- 10 computers
- Air conditioning
- Educational supplies and materials
- Furniture (desks and chairs)
- Professional trainer to teach computer workshops
Logistics
- Local contribution: US$1,056.70
- Handling of funds: Compassion International Brazil will work with church and centre leadership to ensure this project stays within budget.
- Monitoring: Centre staff will conduct an initial assessment to evaluate each student’s current computer skills and tailor the computer classes accordingly.