Burle Marx's gardens and the magical world of Oz are on the itinerary for young people sheltered by SMAS.

The Bridges to the Future project brings culture and a sense of belonging to vulnerable boys and girls. PHOTO: SMAS Press Office

The agenda for the Bridges to the Future Project, from the Rio Municipal Secretariat of Social Assistance (SMAS), is diverse. The week includes outdoor activities and a theater performance. This Tuesday, September 15th, 32 children and teenagers sheltered at the Paulo Freire Social Reintegration Unit (URS), Casa Viva Penha, and the Taiguara Reception Center visited the Roberto Burle Marx Site, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site (the agency of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). On Thursday, the 17th, the program will be at the City of Arts. There, boys and girls sheltered in the social assistance network will join participants from the Foster Family program and mothers and children benefiting from the Rio Early Childhood Card to watch the show "Wicked" and take a trip to the magical world of Oz. The group will have a total of 150 people.

– At Burle Marx, our guests had the opportunity to immerse themselves in a universe of landscape, art, history, and biodiversity. More than a visit, it was an invitation to look, feel, discover, and occupy the city in new ways – explains the project coordinator, Guilherme Nanni.

The Bridges to the Future initiative always seeks to foster a sense of belonging and produce knowledge for children, adolescents, and young people in situations of social vulnerability. The goal is to offer these individuals opportunities for new paths through art and culture.

– In the case of “Wicked”, the show brings together music, magic, emotion and friendship. It’s a story that resonates deeply with those we care for, because it speaks of dreams, choices, courage and seeing people beyond labels – describes Nanni.

Open-air museum

The children and teenagers from SMAS (Social Assistance and Citizenship Secretariat) spent an afternoon in contact with nature at Sítio Burle Marx, a 405 square meter property with tropical gardens, plant nurseries, and lakes, located in Barra da Guaratiba, in the Southwest Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The visit included a walk through the greenery and contemplation of 3,5 species of tropical plants from around the world, some of them rare. The girls and boys appreciated the architecture, the design, and also a museum collection with more than 3 pieces of art.

Witches of Oz at the City of Arts

The musical “Wicked – The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz,” which has captivated millions worldwide and whose run has been extended until October 4th at Cidade das Artes in Barra da Tijuca, will welcome a very enthusiastic audience on Thursday. Among the guests at the 15 pm performance will be mothers and their children who receive the Cartão da Primeira Infância Carioca (Rio Early Childhood Card). This benefit is a food card, recharged monthly, offered by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall to families in vulnerable social situations with children up to four years old who are not enrolled in the Bolsa Família program of the federal government. Also present will be a group of children and adolescents sheltered in SMAS (Municipal Secretariat of Social Assistance) units and another group from the Família Acolhedora (Foster Family) program, which provides temporary homes for children, adolescents, and young adults up to 21 years old who have suffered rights violations.