You may not appreciate the comparison, Ricardo, because it draws on an institution that you deem paternalistic, but after reading your description of the Barefoot/SOS Club, I couldn't help but think of the Christian religious orders who engage in their ministries while barefoot, as this is thought to induce a proper sense of humility. Also, ancient Spartans, though fully clothed and armored in every other way, trained and fought in bare feet. My point is that the Club is in good company.
More to the point, you and Instituto Joaquim Cruz are doing great work in attempting to raise up local leaders and empower them to provide instruction to youth though athletics, especially running. Paternalism is never an effective means to teach health awareness and other important life lessons, and your approach is the wiser one. Much success to you.
By the way, who provides your athletes' shoes these days?
Steve Byars
Marshall School of Business
University of Southern California
Barefoot Club, and most social projects in Brazil, have to fight against paternalism, because my country has had a history of paternalism since its conception. So, our goal is to contribute to change this mentality, inducing local leaders that work with track and field to help kids, giving the kids an opportunity to change their reality thru sports. We introduce a progressive system of benefits, which means that as long they continue in the project, the more benefits they get. The first benefit is food to restore energy in each section of exercise. Then, a t-shirt, tennis shoes, sports and cultural events, and presentations about AIDS, drugs and access to college. We think that with this perspective they understand that they have to work to earn the benefits, and we have time to input the values of sports and citizenship in their minds, such as discipline and respect.
Once you are in Brazil, come to visit us and share your knowledge and
experience with us.
Thanks for contact us,
Ricardo Vidal de oliveira
PS: Nike gives us the tennis shoes
Ricardo Vidal de Oliveira
Dir. Executivo
61- 3328.7309 8134.0663
www.ijcdf.org
You may not appreciate the comparison, Ricardo, because it draws on an institution that you deem paternalistic, but after reading your description of the Barefoot/SOS Club, I couldn't help but think of the Christian religious orders who engage in their ministries while barefoot, as this is thought to induce a proper sense of humility. Also, ancient Spartans, though fully clothed and armored in every other way, trained and fought in bare feet. My point is that the Club is in good company.
More to the point, you and Instituto Joaquim Cruz are doing great work in attempting to raise up local leaders and empower them to provide instruction to youth though athletics, especially running. Paternalism is never an effective means to teach health awareness and other important life lessons, and your approach is the wiser one. Much success to you.
By the way, who provides your athletes' shoes these days?
Steve Byars
Marshall School of Business
University of Southern California
Dear Steve
Barefoot Club, and most social projects in Brazil, have to fight against paternalism, because my country has had a history of paternalism since its conception. So, our goal is to contribute to change this mentality, inducing local leaders that work with track and field to help kids, giving the kids an opportunity to change their reality thru sports. We introduce a progressive system of benefits, which means that as long they continue in the project, the more benefits they get. The first benefit is food to restore energy in each section of exercise. Then, a t-shirt, tennis shoes, sports and cultural events, and presentations about AIDS, drugs and access to college. We think that with this perspective they understand that they have to work to earn the benefits, and we have time to input the values of sports and citizenship in their minds, such as discipline and respect.
Once you are in Brazil, come to visit us and share your knowledge and
experience with us.
Thanks for contact us,
Ricardo Vidal de oliveira
PS: Nike gives us the tennis shoes
Ricardo Vidal de Oliveira
Dir. Executivo
61- 3328.7309 8134.0663
www.ijcdf.org