This is a story of a dream coming true.  It started as a simple action within a great social background.

          Áureo André Oliveira, founder and AMARP president was visiting the neighborhood of Santo Onofre in his hometown, county of Viamão in Rio Grande do Sul in 2003 and as he used to do, sat beside his neighbor Nei, who had the habit of distributing candies to children who passed in front of his house. Nei didn’t have one of his feet due to diabetes. However, it didn’t take his happiness and willingness of doing good away. He liked to see big smiles on children’s faces.

         That was a memorable image to Mr. Oliveira. Then Mr. Oliveira came back to Poá in São Paulo where he lived. The next time he visited the South he heard with sadness that Nei had passed away. Then he had the idea of organizing an annual party where candies and snacks would be distributed to the kids. Mr. Oliveira talked to his mother who promptly supported him. Nei’s generosity and joyfulness would remain alive.

Preparativos

Fonte: Jornal Tri Bom. Rio Grande do Sul. abril de 2004.

          This is a story of a dream coming true.  It started as a simple action within a great social background.

          Áureo André Oliveira, founder and AMARP president was visiting the neighborhood of Santo Onofre in his hometown, county of Viamão in Rio Grande do Sul in 2003 and as he used to do, sat beside his neighbor Nei, who had the habit of distributing candies to children who passed in front of his house. Nei didn’t have one of his feet due to diabetes. However, it didn’t take his happiness and willingness of doing good away. He liked to see big smiles on children’s faces.

          That was a memorable image to Mr. Oliveira. Then Mr. Oliveira came back to Poá in São Paulo where he lived. The next time he visited the South he heard with sadness that Nei had passed away. Then he had the idea of organizing an annual party where candies and snacks would be distributed to the kids. Mr. Oliveira talked to his mother who promptly supported him. Nei’s generosity and joyfulness would remain alive.

The Decoration

           Little by little that unattractive street became full of happiness, excited children and adults started to hang the decorative strings and fix the cardboards with their requests for better lives. Everything was made with a caring touch and that place would be the stage for a great event.

Donations

           Businessmen and dwellers from Santo Onofre neighborhood in Viamão – Porto Alegre wanted to help. So they donated bread, meat, candies, soda and the like. The dwellers that didn’t help with their work, donated something. Everybody wanted to take part in the event for the joy, teamwork and what could be the beginning of social transformation. Meanwhile in the backstage, bags with candies and snacks were being prepared and Mr. Oliveira’s relatives and some dwellers were preparing what would be served at the party.

Distinguished Guests….

Fonte: Jornal Tri Bom. Rio Grande do Sul. abril de 2004.

          Mr. José Carlos, also known as Zeca, Viamão Deputy Mayor, Mr. Rospide, the president of County Chamber, Mr. Janes, one of Viamão representatives and soccer players Claudio “Pitbull” and Thiago Prado, both playing for Grêmio Foot-ball Porto Alegrense, team which Mr. Oliveira had already played, Ms. Elizete, the psychologist soccer team and many others attended the party. The local community and more than 500 children were there too. The event was covered by the local journalistic team.

The event itself…

Fonte: Jornal Tri Bom. Rio Grande do Sul. abril de 2004.

          Everything was set. The guests arrived and the party started. The local authorities observed the cardboards with children’s demands. The children played, after all there were plays, music, food and beverages. The adults felt closer to each other and observed their kids and friends having fun. That day people shared a feeling of togetherness.

          People got really excited when the soccer players arrived. What a thrill! See their idols so close, men they thought were beyond of the reach of regular people and they were very nice. A lot of people got emotional, but no more than Nenê that even shed a few tears when he saw his favorite soccer players. What an unforgettable day!

The homage

           At Mr. Oliveira’s request, Mr. Fernando Rospide, the president of the County Chamber was giving Lurdes an Honorable Mention to Nei for his services to the community, but she didn’t know anything about that at all. The pure and simple action of distributing candies and lollipops awakened a sense of collective, bound and love in a numb world.

          As it was expected there was a lot of crying and people got emotional.

          Nei would be a role model to others, showing that little actions can bring big transformation and love each other it is the most important thing.

The Seed

           Mr. Oliveira returned to Santo Onofre annually to throw that party with his relatives and friends. However, the death of Mr. Oliveira’s father took the shine off the event for the family. There weren’t parties anymore, there was no reason for Mr. Oliveira to return to the South anymore. But the desire to promote happiness remained alive.

          Mr. Oliveira lived in Poá and noticed that the seed left by Nei would have fertile soil in that region. “Why don’t we bring some happiness to youngsters through sports?” he thought. By observing people’s routine, he noticed there was a lack of leisure. So he used his potential and passion for soccer. He would teach children the art that is in Brazilians blood.

Happy Child…

           To start up a soccer school having nearly nothing was a tough task. First of all, he would need a field; and then balls, uniforms and many other things. It was a challenge. But that would not be an obstacle to Mr. Oliveira because he was determined and had faith in God. So he started to search for people who believed his idea and its benefits to the community for it would be possible to take homeless children from the streets and put bad influences away through soccer practice.

          There were blessed people willing to help, just because of the desire of sharing the same interest with their fellow citizens, there was no space for egoism or meanness.
Once again a dream came true, by using his own financial resources, getting some donations and working hard; Mr. Oliveira was able to start up the soccer school HAPPY CHILD on February 15, 2008 and one hundred and sixty youngsters - ranging from 7 to 16 years old - attended school in different categories.

The ACRE Família Fieland Happy Child/AMARP Partnership

          The success of the soccer school and the recognition of the great work done by its president turned in a partnership with ACRE Família Fiel and a pioneering social inclusion program in Poá and it will provide gifted youngsters the opportunity to show their talent, and a chance of standing out in sports.