CHARITY
PROJECTS
BCS RIO SUPPORTED ORGANISATIONS
Charity begins at home, but true generosity reaches beyond it. The British and Commonwealth Society of Rio de Janeiro is proud to support social programmes that benefit Brazilians of all ages from less privileged backgrounds, while also promoting the arts.
Donations to these organisations may be made directly using the contact details provided.
BCS Welfare Fund
The BCS Welfare Fund is supported by a dedicated group of Welfare Committee members who work actively to assist individuals and families in need within the community. Their work goes beyond financial assistance, focusing on offering practical, emotional and social support to those going through difficult circumstances.
In addition to providing financial aid where appropriate, committee members also carry out friendly visits, helping to reduce isolation and offering companionship to those who may be elderly, unwell or experiencing hardship. These visits often include listening support, guidance and encouragement, helping to strengthen a sense of connection and care within the community.
The Welfare Fund is also supported by volunteers who contribute their time and compassion. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer and assisting with visiting or supporting those in need is warmly encouraged to contact the BCS Office for more information.
The committee deeply values all contributions, and donations directed to the Welfare Fund are essential in enabling this ongoing work of care, dignity and support for those most in need.
Donations
British & Commonwealth Society of Rio de Janeiro
Banco: Bradesco (237)
AG: 3369
C/C: 3894-6
CNPJ: 33.716.572/0001-20
PIX: 33716572000120
Street Child United Brazil (SCUB)
SCUB is a football-for-development programme serving children and adolescents in Complexo da Penha, Rio de Janeiro. Far more than just a game, the project provides a safe and supportive environment where girls and boys can play, learn and grow through football while developing important life skills such as teamwork, confidence, leadership, discipline and resilience.
The programme is based in Morro do Caracol — a small, hard-working community with strong values and deep community ties. Unfortunately, the area is often affected by violent conflict between drug traffickers and security forces. In this context, SCUB’s space, intentionally located away from the line of gunfire, offers children a sense of safety, belonging and family. It has become a field of hope for both the young people and the wider community.
Background
Following the Street Child World Cup in 2014, SCUB partnered with GM Chevrolet to build a multi-purpose football pitch, officially opened in 2015 by Arsenal “Invincible” and FIFA World Cup winner Gilberto Silva. Since then, the project has welcomed coaches from Manchester United, as well as football legends Dwight Yorke and Quinton Fortune.
In 2018, nine girls from the project were selected to represent Brazil at the Street Child World Cup in Moscow, Russia — and they won the tournament. In 2022, another team of SCUB girls represented Brazil at the Street Child World Cup in Doha and once again returned home victorious. In 2026, it was the boys’ turn to represent Brazil in Mexico City, where they made history by becoming the first Brazilian boys’ team ever to win the Street Child World Cup.
Today, up to 300 children have access to SCUB’s activities, with an average of 45 children participating daily across two sessions. The programme maintains equal participation between girls and boys. Beyond football, SCUB supports each child’s personal development and helps them build skills that positively impact their education, their community and their future transition into the workplace.
SCUB continues to develop its “football for development” methodology in partnership with The Sports Creative.
Donations
Associação das Crianças de Rua Unidas
Banco: Santander (033)
AG: 3063
C/C: 13005408-7
CNPJ: 18.922.477/0001-90
PIX: 18922477000190
​More information can be found on:
Casa Meimei de Acolhimento Infantil – Sociedade Celina
This institution started informally in 2006 in Cabuçu, on the Niterói side of Guanabara Bay, following the donation of land to help the extremely poor community of Cabuçu. Dona Maria da Gloria, who donated the land, later formalised this donation with the Prefeitura, thereby creating Sociedade Celina. For many years, Sociedade Celina supported the local community by donating food baskets, layettes for expectant mothers, clothing and hygiene materials.
During this time, it became apparent that there was a complete lack of crèches in the area. As a result, in 2016 a campaign was launched to build a crèche for the children of this community and, in 2018, Casa Meimei de Acolhimento Infantil was opened.
Although the demand is considerable, the crèche can currently care for only 38 children, as there are insufficient resources to accommodate more. Mothers of the children are required to attend two meetings per month, providing guidance on childcare, personal hygiene, family planning, housekeeping and basic horticultural training.
The latest project, already underway, is the construction of a shelter for orphaned, abandoned and/or abused children. The need for this “Casa Lar” has become increasingly urgent due to rising levels of violence and abuse towards women and children within the community.
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​Donations
Sociedade Espírita Cristã Celina
Banco: Itaú (341)
AG: 1638
C/C: 25322-7
CNPJ: 08.294.074/0001-90
PIX:
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More information can be found on:
Favela Brass
Favela Brass is one of the most interesting music education projects in Rio de Janeiro because it combines brass band culture, samba, jazz and community work within Rio’s favelas.
It began in 2014 in the Pereira da Silva favela (known locally as “Pereirão”) in the Santa Teresa/Laranjeiras area. The founder, British trumpeter Tom Ashe, moved to Rio because of his love for Brazilian music and realised that many children in poorer communities had little or no access to instruments or formal music education.
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The project offers free lessons in:
• brass instruments (trumpet, trombone, tuba, saxophone)
• percussion
• ensemble performance
• improvisation and jazz
The musical style is a mix of:
• Rio street-band traditions (“fanfarras” and “bloco” music)
• samba and marchinhas
• New Orleans brass-band jazz
• funk carioca influences
One of the most interesting aspects is how naturally Rio’s carnival tradition connects with New Orleans second-line brass culture. Favela Brass bands often sound like a hybrid of a samba bloco and an American street jazz parade.
The organisation gained international recognition after performing around the time of the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Today, the organisation works not only within the Pereira da Silva community but also across multiple public schools in Rio, serving hundreds of students.
A few notable aspects of the project:
• It relies heavily on donated instruments and volunteer teachers.
• Many instructors are Brazilian carnival musicians or international jazz performers.
• Students perform publicly in parades, festivals and concerts.
The programme is also designed to help students prepare for music school entrance examinations in Brazil.
Donations
Favela Brass
Banco: Banco do Brasil (001)
AG: 3118-6
C/C: 43386-1
CNPJ: 37.332.605/0001-90
PIX: 18922477000190
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More information can be found on:
Brazilian Piper Pipe Band
The Brazilian Piper Pipe Band is a Brazilian bagpipe and drum band inspired by traditional Scottish pipe bands. It was founded in 1999 by retired Brazilian Marine Pipe Major José Paulo Pereira in São Gonçalo, near Rio de Janeiro.
What makes the group unusual is that it combines:
• Scottish Highland bagpipes and drums
• Brazilian rhythms such as samba and MPB
• A social project for disadvantaged young people
The band uses music, discipline and Scottish cultural traditions as a way to help teenagers stay away from crime while building teamwork and civic values.
They have performed across South America and have been invited to major events in Scotland, including Piping Live! and the Edinburgh International Festival.
A “pipe band” is a musical ensemble centred around Highland bagpipes and drums, traditionally associated with Scotland and military parades.
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Donations
​Brazilian Piper Pipe Band
Banco: NU (260)
AG: 0001
C/C: 43609853-3
CNPJ: 51.723.373/0001-21
PIX: 51723373000121
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​More information can be found on:
Santa Marta Sports Centre (Centro Esportivo Santa Marta)
The Santa Marta Sports Centre is a community-based sports and social development project located at the entrance of the Santa Marta favela in Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro.
The centre uses martial arts and sport as tools for social transformation, offering training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing, Muay Thai and physical conditioning for children, teenagers and adults from the local community.
Its mission is to provide a safe, structured environment where young people can develop discipline, confidence and life skills while remaining engaged in positive activities. In a context where many face social vulnerability, the project offers a meaningful alternative pathway through sport.
Operating largely through donations and volunteer support, the centre has helped thousands of young people over the years. It has also benefitted from partnerships and renovations supported by local organisations, improving training conditions and expanding access.
The Santa Marta Sports Centre forms part of a wider ecosystem of community initiatives within the favela focused on education, culture and youth development.
Support helps maintain daily training sessions, equipment and safe access to sport for local children and young people.
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Donations
Centro Esportivo Santa Marta
Banco: STONE (197)
AG: 0001
C/C: 160737-3
CNPJ: 17.223.013/0001-22
PIX: 17223013000122
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More information can be found on:
Centro de Cooperação para o Desenvolvimento da Infância e Adolescência (CCDIA)
CCDIA is a non-profit organisation based in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, which has worked since 1991 to support children and adolescents from low-income communities.
Its mission is to strengthen education and prevent school dropout, offering a safe and structured environment where young people can learn, grow and build better life opportunities.
CCDIA provides daily after-school support, including academic tutoring, literacy reinforcement, English classes, computer skills and arts activities, together with meals and a protected space for study and development.
Serving children and teenagers from vulnerable areas across Niterói and surrounding municipalities, the organisation has supported thousands of young people over the years, helping to improve school performance and long-term educational outcomes.
Support helps maintain daily programming, educational materials, meals and safe learning spaces for children who rely on the centre as a key part of their development.
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Donations
Centro de Cooperação para o Desenvolvimento da Infância e Adolescência
Banco Itaú (341)
AG: 059
C/C: 2280
CNPJ: 39.174.883/0001-91
PIX: 39174883000191
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More information can be found on: