The "Francesco Geminiani Prize Association" and the "Carlo Ubbiali Onlus Association" are working together on a project called "MUSICAL KEYS OPEN JAIL DOORS".

Music and art in general are meant to please as well as to improve the culture and personal growth of people. Art - in the broadest sense - teaches to collaborate and favours tolerance and respect for other people, stopping violent and arrogant behaviour. The "Francesco Geminiani Prize Association" helped buy musical instruments and uniforms for minors jailed in the prisons of Fortaleza (Brazil) to help them hope in a better future by playing music.

If you are interested in the project or would like to help, please go to the "Carlo Ubbiali Onlus Association" website (www.associazionecarloubbiali.org).

The Combonian Missionary Marco Passerini, who deals with the project in Brazil, sent us the information we have provided below.

Fortaleza is the capital of the Ceará state in north eastern Brazil and has about two and half million inhabitants. On this part of the Atlantic coast it is summer all year round. The long beaches and dunes and the many, many hotels make it one of the favourite destinations of tourists from Brazil and abroad. Sadly, it is also one of the favourite destinations of sex tourism.

The economic system used by the government – which provides great support to the tourism industry and small businesses - is unable to change the quality of life of over 70% of the population. Over 52% of the working population works in the black market. The number of employment opportunities has increased yet unqualified labour and low salaries contribute to make very few very rich.

Despite the undeniable efforts made by the current government, adolescents and youngsters aged between 14 and 19 from thousands of poorer families (that have no access to social services, homes, schools, jobs and health services) live in extremely difficult conditions. They are cut off from the "wealthy city" and are the easy prey for child exploiters, drug dealers and arms smugglers in particular.

Many believe criminality and violence will easily allow them to have the luxury and wealth displayed in hotels and shops, by tourists and wealthy locals who drive expensive cars.

It is shocking that, from the beginning of the year to half way through April, 42 adolescents (aged between 13 and 17) were killed by the Fortaleza drug dealers because they had failed to pay their debts or wanted to quit - this is 50% more compared to last year.

In Fortaleza alone there are about 1,500 adolescents and youngsters jailed in the seven minors’ jails, known as "Socio-educational intervention units".

The photographs here are taken in one of the units for the younger, more dangerous inmates, aged between 16 and 19. there are between 220 and 250 inmates and all have been convicted for murder, theft, armed robbery, bank robbery, rape etc.

A survey from last year showed that 48% of the inmates had never met their father, 82% had left school to work illegally, 97.6% are addicted to drugs and over 60% has already committed a minor crime and served time.

Effective social recovery of these people is unthinkable without an intelligent pedagogic project. Permanent contact, schooling, a proper, decently paid job, artistic activities (music and painting) and sports are the only way to open the mind and the heart of these youngsters and bring out their potential, feelings and abilities, which have been neglected or repressed by a cruel and hard life. If people are too repressed they become frustrated, angry, violent and reckless.

This is starting point for the activities of the small musical group "Banda Renascer" (Rebirth Group) and Banda Marcial. Because local authorities are so slow at doing anything we are trying to offer young inmates the chance to learn to play a musical instrument and especially to learn to love, dream and hope again, to enjoy life and everything clean, beautiful and healthy.

Singing, rhythm, melody and harmony in a full and integrated educational process raise awareness of self and others, increase learning and communication abilities, reduce bad behaviour, favour social interaction and increase the will to socialise with other people.

It is worth mentioning that, thanks to this musical activity and the intelligence and efforts of the current jail administrators, these youngsters are allowed to leave the jail to play during some social events. This type of social interaction – however infrequent – boosts self-confidence and helps both sides overcome fear and prejudice. It is urgent and important to teach society that people are worth more than the crime they have committed and that trusting these difficult adolescents and giving them the right opportunity will help them fit into society and live normally.

There currently are 8 players in the "Banda Renascer". As a member is released from jail he is replaced by another, so the group will always be made up of beginners. This does not make the project less useful and the former inmates may still continue their training. We aim at involving at least 25 people, focusing on the ones with at least two years to serve.

The Banda Marcial (the Marching Band) includes about forty youngsters and is an excellent way of training and of teaching discipline, as well creating a sense of belonging to a community.

"I never thought that, now that I have lost my freedom, I would be able to understand myself and all the terrible things that happened to me during my life. I was jailed for ten months when I was 15. I learnt nothing because nobody taught me anything and the year after I was caught and jailed again. I am 19 now and will be released very soon. Things have changed because I have changed. The musical band really helped me be born again" (Davide Magno, solo player of the group – jailed for armed robbery).

"I have always been shy and not trusted anything or anybody. Music and painting have allowed me to overcome this. The psychologist is always saying I have changed so much. I agree with him. (Robério Mendes – 20 years old – drummer jailed for murder – he will be released in a year’s time).