How do you measure change?

That was the question in my mind this morning as we left in our van for a visit with FASE: Fundaco de Atendimento Socio Educativo. Our D and P group had reflected on this question prior to our day's activities and the question stayed with me as we walked in to the office of FASE. We were greeted by Evaneldo, the national director, Aselmo, the local director, Yuri an architect and educator and Marli who works with issues related to coastal areas. They explained that the role of FASE within Brazil was the work of sustainable social development. FASE works to influence public policy and change the concept of development in Brazil. They work with citizens, with scholars, with researchers to present the government with alternate policies and processes for social development. They also help to strengthen grassroots groups that are trying to better the lives of their communities.

FASE has 2 main areas of concentration. In rural areas it advocates for food security and agroecology. In  urban settings it works to achieve sustainable social development.

The truth of the wealth of Brazil is hard to uncover. Brazil is seen as having a strong economy, as prospering and being a wealthy nation. FASE presents us with a different reality. They tell us that close to 400,000 people in Recife live in precarious housing conditions They tell us that the poor do not have the same rights as the rich. The poor do not have rights to homes, to clean water, to sanitation, to health services and many of the other social benefits we assume when we come from a country like Canada. FASE works to mobilze citizens to demand these rights. They organize people to lobby government, they write position papers, they organize forums, they provide assitance to grassroots groups who do not know how to change government policies.

Teacher plays a game with children at Recife's newest
social housing made possible by a six year
struggle aided by FASE.

FASE helps to bring about change. We were privileged to visit two of the communities where they have had an impact. In both cases people who had been living in slum areas, after years and years of presentations, protests, and political pressure have finally moved into their own homes. The FASE staff and the organizers in these communities showed us with great pride their homes, their yards, their kitchens, their play areas, their children. One lady told us that she finally felt like a real person because she has an address. They have access to water, to sanitation, to electricity. Everything is far from perfect but FASE persists in mobilizing, in advocating and in effecting real change. Change is hard to measure until you talk with the parents, the grandparents and the families that now have a place to call home, a place for their children to play safely, a place to plant a garden and hang out the laundry. Then you understand that change is not measured, it is visable in the eyes and smiles of the people who show you their homes.

Ann