Johnson & Johnson - Index

Johnson & Johnson - contribution - Index

SAVING & IMPROVING LIVES
PEOPLE, PARTNERS, PASSION
Educating Through the Arts
Centro de Referencia Integral de Adolescentes (CRIA) has developed
a unique and engaging way of reaching at-risk adolescents in
Salvador, Brazil. Founded 14 years ago, CRIA uses the arts to educate
youths about important issues, including the rights of children and
teens, HIV/AIDS prevention, and teenage pregnancy. The organization
discovered that when young people actively contribute to artistic projects, they become
personally connected to the subject matter in a way that can transform their lives.
CRIA incorporates theater, music, poetry, dance, clown
theater, and more into its outreach. Adolescents in the
program have the opportunity to perform their pieces for
the community. “It is very therapeutic and psychologically
nourishing to create, speak, and be seen and listened to
with respect,” says Carla Lopes, head theater coordinator
at CRIA. “CRIA is a place where young people have a
voice and are heard.”
With the help of Johnson & Johnson, CRIA has expanded
its initiatives to include the Adolescentes
Criativos (Creative Adolescents)
program. This program trains youths
to become cultural promoters, using
art to educate themselves, their
families, and communities on topics
important to adolescents.
As cultural promoters, adolescents
like Mercia Santos da Hora and others
participate in rehearsals, group discussions,
educational training, and live
performances. In Mercia’s community,
which does not have a local doctor’s
office, information about reproductive
education and prevention of sexually
transmitted diseases was not available to her or her peers.
CRIA has been an essential resource for Mercia and has
empowered her to educate others.
“The Creative Adolescents project allows us to work
with underprivileged young people to become leaders in
their communities, lift their self-esteem, become greater
citizens, and fight for their rights, principally sexual and
reproductive health rights,” says Mercia.
While art can work successfully on its own, the educa-
“CRIA is a place
where young people
have a voice
and are heard.”
CARLA LOPES,
HEAD THEATER
COORDINATOR
AT CRIA
tional message must be presented clearly. CRIA holds
language and expression meetings for their cultural
promoters every two weeks to discuss and practice art
presentation, language use, reading, and writing. “These
group chats are led in a very democratic way, allowing all
participants to contribute with questions, impressions,
and ideas,” says Carla.
CRIA also holds training sessions for family members
to promote better communication, educate on domestic
issues, and create an open dialogue
about reproductive education, sexually
transmitted diseases, and drugs.
Part of CRIA’s vision is to educate
and positively change the culture of
communities, too. CRIA holds training
sessions for health educators and
professionals to improve their ability
to educate and provide the sensitive
information that all adolescents need.
“Health professionals and
teachers need to know more about
what young people know and do
not know about their own bodies,
and learn how to effectively talk to
and treat them,” says Carla.
With support from Johnson & Johnson, CRIA continues
to have a positive impact in the lives of adolescents, their
families, and the community. “In 2007, we trained 86
cultural promoters and 30 family members in 29 communities,”
says Irene Pinero, the education coordinator at
CRIA. “After all the presentations, theatrical pieces, and
community festivals, nearly 7,000 individuals benefited
from the educational messages.” �
Right: Cultural promoters perform a skit as part of CRIA’s efforts to educate youths on adolescent health issues.
4 JOHNSON & JOHNSON 2007 WORLDWIDE CONTRIBUTIONS PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT