A world away from the glitz and the glamour Wolverhampton born Beverley Knight visited some of the poorest areas of Brazil. Beverley was invited to be an ambassador for Christian Aid who working together with local Brazilian organisations tackle issues of poverty and raise awareness of HIV and Aids.  | | Child in Salvador Brazil |
Beverley jumped at the chance to visit two Christian Aid funded projects in Salvador. GAPA (Group for Prevention of Aids) and CESE who work on a range issues from human rights to health and education. With a personal interest in these issues, Beverley looked forward to meeting positive people and listening to their stories.  I will never forget the spirit of the people that I have seen here | | Beverley Knight |
During the visit Beverley experienced scenes of extreme poverty and witnessed desperate cases of how people are forced to live. Inspired by the sincerity and genuine nature of these strong willed people, Beverley was impressed with how the support from these organisations have improved their lives. Beverley's diary... In a diary Beverley kept on her trip she wrote -
"One of the people I spoke to is working with young kids who are infected with HIV. This particular person was so remarkable. She's been into crisis so many times and was feeling at death's door. Yet she still has that conviction, that makes her get up in the morning to try and instil some kind of hope into these little kids who have HIV".  | | Beverley creating music with recycled cans |
A community centre that had once been used by drug takers has now become a safe haven thanks to the work of CESE. Cultural workshops for local youths make the most of limited resources to develop their creative talents in art's and music. This provides an alternative to drugs and crime. Brazil, famous for it’s invention of the samba rhythm, uses music and language to communicate, warning people of the dangers of having unprotected sex. Dancing in the streets... Beverley was fortunate to experience this first hand when she joined dozens of young people in an arrastao - a carnival procession though the dusty streets of Pituacu, north of Salvador. Marchers, drummers and singers carried colour banners and loud hailers shouting the message
‘be safe, be protected, use a condom'. A HIV lesson with a carnival twist. Back in the UK, Beverley hopes to continue the positive work. Look out for her coming album in the new year with influences from Brazil, the people she met and the things she experienced.  Watch video footageof Beverley Knight visits Brazil with Christian Aid
View a picture gallery of Beverley Knight's visit to Brazil. | 
