Social vulnerability and agency among Brazilian adolescents: A study about Bromelia skills training program in Fortaleza

Violence, poverty, lack of education, drug addiction and sexual exploitation are increasing in Brazil. Poor families are the most affected and exposed to these structural problems, especially children and adolescents who lack the resources and support needed to ensure their rights to health, food, education and work. Given this situation, I conducted research to assess the role of a skills training program in the lives of Brazilian adolescents dealing with situations of social vulnerability and exclusion. In 2010, a pilot project named Bromelia started. This social initiative will take about 3 years to conclude. The first year was dedicated to the personal, social and professional development of the adolescents through workshops. The next two years are dedicated to social support, training and inclusion within the labour market and society. This social project has an alternate proposition than others, firstly, because it promotes skills training using an holistic approach. Secondly the program is open for out of school adolescents whilst normally attending school is considered a condition for enrolment in other social programs. By focusing on the perceptions of the adolescents about their lives, current situation and changes promoted since their enrolment in social projects, it is possible to assess the role played by these programs in the adolescents lives. Through this method it is expected to learn the functionality and meaningfulness of such projects in strengthening resilience and motivating agency among the participants, as a way of supporting and providing opportunities for these youngsters within society and labour market. The research findings show that some adolescents were able to find internships and later on employment while others are still struggling. Thus, for some it stimulates action, while for others it makes them more dependent and in need of longer social support. This was not necessarily seen as a negative outcome, as all participants were initially in search of social support. The overall conclusion is that participants consider the Bromelia project playing a meaningful role in their lives, helping them to overcome situations of social vulnerability, either through insertion in the labour market or by providing social and emotional support. The project was fundamental to adolescents’ abilities to cope with conflicts and social exclusion from the labour market, families and communities. Most participants were able to get out of addictions and exploitation, going back to school, dealing with family conflicts and improving their relationships with their communities.