A DISGRACE!

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Dear All, Brazilian parents Audato and Ieda are being sentenced to 50 days in prison.  Why?  They chose to homeschool their two children, aged 15 and 11.  The Denardis began homeschooling their daughters in 2020 after seeing the failings of the public school system up close during the pandemic, when remote learning was used.   Since homeschooling, their two daughters have flourished. Both girls are accomplished pianists. They speak multiple languages and are excelling academically.   Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to convince the judge who convicted them for “intellectual neglect”.   This conviction was in part because their 15-year-old said she finds some popular music lyrics morally questionable and because the home curriculum did not include state-approved content on "gender and sex education" and "tolerance and diversity."  Despite the prosecutor recommending acquittal and an independent expert psychologist confirming there was no evidence of neglect, the judge proceeded with the ruling.   Ieda said:   "As a mother, I cannot conceive a more dictatorial state than the one that wants me in jail because I chose to exercise my right to direct the education and upbringing of my daughters."  This is the first criminal conviction of homeschooling parents in Brazil's history. And it sends a clear message to the parents of the 70,000 plus children currently being home-educated in the country: the state has complete authority over what their children are taught - including dangerous ideologies. But the Denardis are fighting back.  Audato and Ieda are appealing to the highest state court in São Paulo.  ADF International is providing legal support for that appeal, as we believe in the right to educate your children in line with our God-given values.   We need your help to keep going. Will you make a gift today to support our work?  Give Today The Denardis' case is just one case. Across Brazil, parents who choose to educate their children at home have no federal law to protect them - with the threat of criminal prosecution hanging over them. We are calling on Brazil's lawmakers to pass the protections parents need.  We are also supporting Brazilian mother, Regiane Cichelero, whose right to homeschool her son was denied by a state court.   Every contribution funds the legal work, the advocates on the ground, and the systems we build to make sure families like the Denardis don't face these injustices alone. Thank you for standing with us.  With gratitude,   ADF International (UK)