UmRio

UmRio, a recent grantee partner of EMpower, focuses on improving school dropout rates and academic performance in a poor and often violent favela in Rio using a surprising entry point: rugby.

Over 90% of those who join drug gangs in Rio’s favelas are between the ages of 13 and 18. They sometimes see this as their only option, as they have limited access or motivation to go to school and few alternative opportunities or role models. They face financial pressures, so getting an education falls by the wayside. And COVID has only made things worse: As a country, Brazil experienced one of the longest periods of school closure in the world. In the favela of Morro do Castro, where UmRio operates, only 15% of children and young people participated in remote classes during the pandemic, and a whopping 60% have returned to school unable to read or write.

In this environment, UmRio offers another choice. Rugby helps instill values of self-respect and discipline and improves young people’s team building and communications skills. And the organisation goes beyond the sport and provides academic learning opportunities, one-on-one mentoring, as well as professional and personal development. Over the past eight years, UmRio has supported more than 2000 children and young people, inspiring them to make better choices and to return and stay in school.

Learn more about UmRio →