The Viera Brum Pipers were created by some young enthusiastic Brazilians in Rio de Janeiro as a social project to help young people in disadvantaged communities. Through Scottish Culture they have reached the hearts of young people, helping to get rid of drugs, prostitution, marginality, and shown them a different side of life and given hope by introducing them to music and Scottish culture. The bagpipes have influenced the lives of many young people in Rio de Janeiro, but unfortunately they have no sponsorship and have survived on small donations from friends outside Brazil helping with instruments, reeds and uniforms. They do not receive any financial sponsorship in Brazil to help with their costs, but we hope that one day this will happen so that they can reach many more young people.

They have been invited to attend the Aberdeen International Youth Festival in July 2017 by the organisers to participate which would also let them experience true Scottish culture for themselves in Scotland. They have been provided with accommodation, food and internal transport, but they don't have funds to buy flights.
We have around £2,000 raised already but are aiming to raise more to fly some, if not all of the 10 players of the Viera Brum Pipe Band from Rio de Janeiro to participate in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival.
When I told the young pipe band leader Jhonny Mesquita that I would try and raise some funding to bring them to Scotland he replied in an email "Tears in my eyes when I read your email to me, because I know you're trying to help us and I'm sure God will bless you greatly my friend."
I have hired them to play at events in conjunction with the UK Department of International Trade when we organise business functions in Rio and have got to know them and their cause a little bit more.
They do fantastic work and have done so much for others for so little in return!