Gingando Pela Paz

GINGANDO PELA PAZ is a non-profit association that utilizes Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian sport and cultural practice, for the psychosocial care of children and young individuals affected by armed violence and other vulnerabilities. This innovative approach, known as Social Capoeira, combines sport, culture, and citizenship education. It has benefited over children in Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The methodology used by Gingando pela Paz was developed in Haiti over eight years, through a program for reintegrating children used in conflicts by armed gangs. Due to the success of its initiatives, in 2014, Gingando was invited by the Brazilian Embassy and UNICEF to join a working group that incorporated this approach into a program for demobilizing children from armed groups in Goma, DRC. Since 2020, Gingando's efforts have focused on Goma, where a training center in Social Capoeira was established with support from the World Association of Children’s (AMADE), chaired by HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover. The center provides courses aimed at developing the potential of young people and assists organizations that use or wish to incorporate Social Capoeira into their actions. Approximately 560 children with diverse backgrounds, including street children, children demobilized from armed groups, and survivor girls of sexual violence, benefit from these activities. The Social Capoeira Training Center is a space for creating knowledge that aims to strengthen child protection, promote dialogue, and build peace through the active involvement of children and young people. Using Social Capoeira, the center trains young social educators and helps organizations implement this approach in protection programs for children affected by armed violence and other vulnerabilities. Gingando pela Paz continues its dedication to empowering youth as protagonists of their own stories, fostering a culture of peace, and building more just societies free from violence.