Youth advocate receives Bob Pierce Award in Brazil
By Gretchen Lai, business manager – Faith and Development
The 2016 recipient of the Bob Pierce Award is Paulo Uchôa from Fortaleza, Brazil. He is the 47th person to receive the award, which is named for World Vision’s founder. The award acknowledges people not employed by World Vision who have dedicated a significant portion of their lives in a particular ministry in a single geographical area. It honours a person whose work combines humanitarian service with Christian witness in a holistic ministry with little international recognition.
Fortaleza has been labelled the “city of violence” and reports the highest adolescent homicide rate in all of Brazil.
Uchôa leads the Children of God ministry in the suburb of Jangurussu in the Fortaleza region of Brazil. Fortaleza has been labelled the “city of violence” and reports the highest adolescent homicide rate in all of Brazil. Crime, drug use and murder committed by Fortaleza’s youth are so high that youth deaths are seen as a way for the community to become safer.
He began working with Fortaleza’s youth in 1996 and organised his efforts more formally as Children of God in 2006. He believes that even though the community doesn’t want these youth, God wants them, thus the name Children of God.
The ministry is eager to help these youth leave a life of crime and violence and bring them back into fullness of life. With help from local churches, the youth have opportunities to engage in sports and the arts, learn about culture, how to live with Christian values and discuss how to stop the violence while strengthening their faith in God.
Since the ministry began, the school attendance rate for participating youth has increased dramatically from 30 to over 70 per cent, with many going on to attend high school and university.
Since the ministry began, the school attendance rate for participating youth has increased dramatically from 30 to over 70 per cent, with many going on to attend high school and university. Through the programme youth are able to regain love and respect from their families and communities, which increases their chances of finding work or even becoming small business owners, employing other Children of God members. Each year, 250 youth are restored to dignity, self-respect and safety, and Children of God has become renowned in Fortaleza as a promoter of peace and community stability.
“People ask why I embrace this cause. Because it’s like a mission that God gave me, and I accepted. This is a tiring and dangerous job, but it’s not in vain,” he says.
“People ask why I embrace this cause. Because it’s like a mission that God gave me, and I accepted. This is a tiring and dangerous job, but it’s not in vain,” he says.
Uchôa will be officially recognised at World Vision’s Triennial Council in November. As part of the award, he will receive US$25,000 that can be used for a sabbatical, travel or further ministry.