Brasília, 4/20/2004(Agência Brasil) - Yesterday president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the executive director of Unicef, Carol Bellamy, launched the Strengthening the Brazilian Family kit which contains information on how to raise children up to the age of six. Each kit has five albums and will be distributed to families around the country by community health agents. By the end of the year, 80,000 of the kits will be available.

The kit describes how children should be treated so they grow up healthy, in safety and have a stimulating environment. The information in the kit is transmitted in simple, objective language that is richly illustrated. Families are urged to sing and tell stories to their children. Mothers are encouraged to use public health services.

Bellamy pointed out that the Brazilian kit was the result of a broad-base process of consultations at various levels involving not only the government and public health officials, but also many players who are engaged in all aspects of family development.

Bellamy reported that in her conversation with president Lula, he mentioned his efforts to get other leaders to join in the effort to eliminate poverty and hunger. Lula said he was working on discussing the matter at the UN General Assembly in September. "That will be an important meeting," said Bellamy.

Translator: Allen Bennett