Luna, student International Business, has conducted research into improving opportunities for children growing up in 'favelas', the slums of the Brazilian capital Rio de Janeiro.
When Luna started the HZ Honours Programme, she wasn't sure exactly what she wanted to research. But she was 100% certain about one thing: "I want to do something that really makes an impact." Through Brazilian friends, Luna learned about the problems in Brazil's favelas. When she started researching the subject further, Luna came across Estrela de Favela, a Brazilian-Dutch non-profit organisation dedicated to education and sports for children in the slums. Luna conducted her research through this organisation.
An 'eye opening experience'
In May, Luna left for Rio de Janeiro for a month. She had already travelled extensively, but she describes her stay in the favelas as an "eye-opening experience". It really is like stepping into another world for a moment. An intense and violent world, where rival drug gangs rule the streets. "Every day I was so impressed," says Luna. A favela is actually a city within a city, ruled by the leaders of the drug gangs. Children who grow up in the favelas have few opportunities. Organisations such as Estrela de Favela are committed to helping children through education, sport and culture.
During her participation in the HZ Honours Programme and her trip to Brazil, Luna learned a lot about herself. She took lessons to improve her Portuguese so that she could communicate well with the people and especially the young children in the favelas. But the most important learning moment for Luna was the insights she gained about her own privileges. "We live in a materialistic society and have so many opportunities," she says. "The children in the favelas experience the greatest joy from the smallest things."
Challenge yourself with the HZ Honours Programme
Are you ambitious and enterprising? Are you looking for more challenges during your studies? Then the Honours Programme is for you! This special programme, which runs alongside your studies, gives you the opportunity to develop yourself to the fullest, broaden your knowledge and contribute to a better future.
Explore your interests
Luna would recommend the HZ Honours Programme to anyone. "It really gives you the opportunity to explore your interests," she says. "It's so important to develop yourself in that way." In addition, the programme teaches you valuable skills that you can apply during your studies and later in your career. These include setting up your own project, making plans, establishing contacts with organisations, but also perseverance and thinking in terms of possibilities.
Luna is currently finalising her report with her insights. This report will be sent to Estrela de Favela so that Luna's findings can be used to improve opportunities for residents of the favelas. She also hopes that her research will raise awareness among tourists. "We still have so much to learn about how to travel in a sustainable and respectful way and learn from other cultures," says Luna.
