If you were looking for me over the past two evenings you would of found me either listening or pounding on tin can drums in a small room off of a soccer field in the slums of Salvador, Brazil – and honestly I would rather be no where else.
Yesterday when we arrived in Brazil we rushed through Salvador meeting with schools and technology folks confirming that everyone was ready for today’s conference. We were thrilled to know that everyone knew the first conference was today and they were ready to do these videoconferences with or without us.
Our last stop of the day was Banguncaco which translated from Portuguese means “Chaotic.” Banguncaco was created by Joselito Crispims 13 years ago to give youth from the slums an alternative to drugs or an escape from their realities by focusing them on learning tin drums.
Joselito, now 33, is one of those rare individuals that reminds you that there is decency in humankind.
Growing up in the slums, Joselito was a member of youth task force to keep an eye on the neighborhood. One evening a woman called Joselito and asked him to break up a group of youth who were banging on tin cans. Instead of breaking up the youth he used the tin cans and their drumming ability to unite the youth of the slums and give them an alternative to drugs and robberies. With his charm and determination he was able to get the communities support along with out side donations and he created what is now Banguncaco.
With over a decade of success under his belt Joselito has become acelebrity in the neighborhood and has truly given hope to dozens or youth who without him would be now where.
To learn more about Joselito and his work check out: www.bagunsitte.org.br
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