Baguncaco - Brazil

Baguncaco Group creates a broader cultural movement whose central strategy is to direct the children's creative energy into music and other cultural and educational activities. The group also implements various educational activities such as theatre and recycling workshops, and provides community work including a school, day care centre, a health centre in addition to producing herbal remedies, together with the local parish. Baguncaco grew out of Alagados, one of the marginalised swampland communities of Salvador, when a youth officer/educator in children's services realised the strength of the spontaneous music that the children made in the streets. He organised this musical mess (bagunca) and the work quickly gained community support as the youths gained self-esteem.

Human rights, child rights, health, environment.

Baguncaco is the inspiration and organising force for similar bands. Living in an area of extreme poverty, excluded from all of society's rights and benefits, these youths transform their reality by using their creative energy, and give lessons in environmental education and life education. They change trash into art and music, reclaiming the value of what society has thrown away. The group's work has gained the attention of the national and international press and was the theme of an award-winning video.