ABOUT PADC

Projeto Amigos da Comunidade - PADC - is a small volunteer organization, operating with the help of monetary and material donations from companies and private persons. PADC was founded in 2003 by a group of four persons from Brazil, Finland and Sweden. The group wanted to improve the living conditions of the children living in Morro da Vitória not by giving money but by making the children to become aware of how they can affect and improve their own futures.

Of the four original members there are two still active in the project. PADC has grown over the years into a small but dynamic organization, which is operating in three different countries still continuing the same ideology with the help of volunteers. All the activities as well as a major part of PADC’s administration are concentrated to Fortaleza, with supporting offices in Finland and Sweden. PADC is currently working with planning and carrying out activities with the children and teenagers in both Morro da Vitória and in the neighbouring slum area of São Pedro.

PADC is financed by private and corporative contributors. Some funding also comes from selling T-shirts and capoeira outfits to tourists. PADC is not part of any religious or political organization.

PADC operates solely through volunteers. The offices in both Finland and Sweden are completely run by volunteers and the office in Brazil has two Brazilians on their payroll, the secretary and the security man. Brazilian PADC has the capacity to take three volunteers at time, which makes it possible to continue the work in Fortaleza. The offices in Finland and Sweden are run by ex-volunteers, who continue to work for the organisation even after they have returned home from Brazil.