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August/2004 |
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Presentation of the Child and
Adolescent Guardianship Council at Fazenda Tamanduá |
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Although they had been defined by the law since 1991,
Guardianship Councils had not been formed for lack of
regulation. It is only recently that the Juvenile Courts were
made responsible for this task and the Councils established in
each Brazilian municipality. The primary objective is to protect
children and adolescents, ensuring that their rights are
observed. In a country where child prostitution caused by
poverty reaches alarming levels, and where the highest cause of
death at ages below 30 is violence, due especially to alcoholic
drink, the task is both difficult and essential.
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Santa Terezinha Council
members:
Damião
Medeiros de Oliveira,
Francisco
Bezerra Lucena,
Maria
Alencar de Oliveira,
Fátima
Trindade Soares
and Terezinha Nunes |
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Thus, the Juvenile Court of the District of Patos organized
the Council in Santa Terezinha, and appointed Damião
Medeiros de Oliveira as president, Francisco Bezerra Lucena
as vice-president, with the assistance of Maria Alencar de
Oliveira as secretary, Fátima Trindade Soares and Terezinha
Nunes Marques Medeiros. Being young and very keen, they took
on these responsibilities with great enthusiasm.
As all members of the Council are residents of the town of
Santa Terezinha, the first step was to persuade bar owners
and alcohol sales points not to serve minors. The second was
to follow up on absenteeism and early school leaving, so as
to ensure that all boys and girls get proper primary
education, which will allow them to win a better place in
the Brazil of the future.
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The municipality of Santa Terezinha has a large rural
population, and the first visit made by the friends of the
Guardianship Council in the rural region was to Fazenda Tamanduá.
There, in the presence of all the parents, meeting in the local
school, they explained the tasks they were entrusted with. The
children’s parents know the importance of their role in the
upbringing and education of their children and they were very
interested in the talk. The text of the law was read, commented
on and illustrated with clear, practical examples; the whole
team participated, proving the high level of competence and the
serious commitment of these young people, who made sure that
this challenge was understood by all. They placed themselves at
everyone’s disposal for any guidance that might be needed,
giving their telephone numbers, and promising to return soon in
order to ensure respect for the children and to take action if
necessary. |
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Meeting at
Fazenda Tamandua´s local school |
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