Ending Poverty in Brazil: Bahia Street

Bahia Street is an international partnership that combines grassroots knowledge and dedication with global connections and financial strength.

Bahia Street provides a well-rounded education to 60 girls as a supplement to their attendance at local public schools. Girls spend four hours a day at the Bahia Street Center, where they receive instruction equivalent to the best private schools in the city, as well as in health and reproduction, nutrition and leadership. They eat the only meal they get each day and receive the mentoring and love that they need to make it into high ranking high schools and eventually university.

Bahia Street also teaches new perspectives on race, class, gender equality, and international development through educational programs, study trips, and study abroad programs.

Bahia Street was founded by Brazilian sociologist Rita Conceicao and American anthropologist Margaret Willson.

1. Every child deserves the chance to achieve their dreams, regardless of race, class, and gender.

2. We must work for equality by understanding our own role in creating equality.

3. Local people can solve local problems with the right resources and non-intrusive support, and in fact they are the only ones who can in the long run.