Brazil 2007

The Chief Technical Advisor's (CTA) five weeks mission to the GHF assisted projects in Brazil during the months of October, November and December 2007 covered the following

• Preparation of workshop documents in Portuguese.
• Consultations with GHF local Board Members, Advisors, Projects Coordinators and staff.
• Projects visits and evaluations of the GHF assisted projects, their up-to-date accomplish- ments and immediate needs.
• Conducting training workshops with the projects staff members.
• Examination of new project proposals submitted to GHF for technical assistance and support

The mission report summarizes the current status of the projects, their accomplishments since the last visit in 2005, and their future requirements.

For photographs of the projects, please click here to visit the photo gallery

First, a word of heartfelt thanks to our generous donors, supporters, collaborators, and friends who made this mission pleasant and successful. Namely:

APPI- Gland, Gabrielle Arnhold, Britta Bernhard- BTA Travel, Anita Bernstein, Salomão Bernstein, Sol and Maria Teresa Biderman, The Brillantmont International College, Lea Boczar, La Chataigneraie School, Michael Curley, Galani Stiftung, I-Maker, Ellen McQuoid, Cygnet Management Ltd, Adriana Mattoso, Margrit Meier, Carlos Muller, Christian and Nicky Mustad,  Patricia Pinto Pires Neves, Moises Oliveira, Rosa and Marcelo Paiva, Mercedes Pecht, Peter Ranger, Flavio Azm Rasekh, Marina and Rudolfo Trefzer, The Rose Trust, Jeannette Marcondes Sigaud, Pedro Sigaud, The Peter Ustinov Foundation,- Germany, Kristina Richardson, Marcela Seewer, Tito Tettamanti, Lady Hélène Ustinov, the Vargem Alta School Association of Parents, Attila Ventures Partners Ltd, Verlon Investment Inc., Victorinox AG, and the Director and staff of the World Trade Center Lausanne

Secondly, we look forward with keen appreciation to receiving your support and generous donations in order to enable us extend and continue our humanitarian work. May we take this opportunity to thank you in anticipation and to wish you and family an enjoyable Christmas and a peaceful New Year. 

Project 1: The Parque Florestal Community School Project, Camaçari, Bahia.

This Project continues to provide pre-schooling with a full meal a day to 180 children ranging in ages from 3 to 6 years, as well as remedial education to 48 older children who attend public schools. This project completed the building of the school kitchen.  It still needs to install a solar energy system for electricity and water heating, in addition to a well and a rain water conservation tank for use in the dry season. The completion of the  vegetable garden is planned for next year, as well as music classes for the 50 children.

An amount of 38'000 Swiss Francs is needed for 2008.

Project 2: The Center for Health and Nutrition Education for Women Project, Feira de Santana, Bahia.

This Project continues to provide health care and nutrition education to 200 women. It also gives them advice on alternative preventive medicine.

The Project began building its library and computer Center which will be completed in 2008.

An amount of 25'000 Swiss Francs is needed for 2008.

Project 3: The Monte Carmelo School Project, Porto Feliz, São Paulo.

This Project has completed the building of four classrooms and a multifunctional open air hall which now accommodates more than 50 additional students, yet there are still more than 80 students waiting to enter but who cannot because of a lack of transportation services.

In addition to its school programmes the Project provides computer education to the general public in the region, as well as social orientation to the students' parents. For 2008 the priority is the reconstruction of the main building which accommodates the staff and the library, and which is in a dilapidated state.

An amount of 45'000 Swiss Francs is needed for 2008.

Project 4: The "Tesourinha" - " Small Scissors Project," São Paulo.

This project continues to provide training to 160 girls and boys annually, in Hairdressing, Hygiene and Human Relations – (The three H s) and related beauty vocations.

For 2008, the priority is to extend the Center, to provide the relevant equipment, and to introduce a training course for the graduating students on entrepreneurship to help them start their own business. There is also a need to install and make operational, the photographic equipment generously donated by Ellen McQuoid, the President of Global Harmony Brasil.

An amount of 48'000 Swiss Francs is needed for 2008.

Project 5:  The SAMMA Project, Itaquaquecetuba and São Paulo

This "two homes" project in Itaquaquecetuba and Sao Paulo continues to provide shelter to homeless children, and helps them attend school. The Sao Paulo building has refurbished and furnished, and is now ready to welcome homeless children. However, there is still a need to provide computers and kitchen equipment.

An amount of 12'000 Swiss Francs is needed for 2008.

Project 6: The Vargem Alta Municipal School, São Pedro da Sera, Nova Friburgo

This primary school provides education to 120 students whose ages range from 3 to 11 years. There are more than 80 children from this village on the waiting list.

In collaboration with the Municipality and Girasol Institute, GHF recommended upgrading and extending the school building, with a multifunctional hall, a kitchen cafeteria, two classrooms, and a teacher's working room, in addition to a playground and a vegetable garden. All this is waiting for the promised participation, support and donations of the Municipality, before partial donations from GHF can be released.

An amount of 25'000 Swiss Francs is needed for 2008.

Project 7: Centro de Vivencias CRESCER Project, Alto Paraiso, Goias.

This Center celebrated its 10^th anniversary with the participation of the community members, parents, students, staff and Mayor. This project continues to provide complementary education and training to 300 students attending the public schools. Recently computer skills training has been added to the programme. The project also provides training in health and nutrition as well as family and community development.

During the CTA's mission, consultations were held with the Mayor and the local authorities, as well as the Center's Director – Jeannette M. Sigaud, in which the building of a new school on the donated land was authorised. This new CRESCER school will be supported financially by the Municipality. Construction will start in 2008.

An amount of 60'000 Swiss Francs is needed for 2008.

Project 8: The Palmito Paraty Project, Corisco and Paraty Mirim, Rio de Janeiro.

This is a pilot project coordinated by Adriana Mattoso, Director of the Conservation Units of Sao Paulo with the participation of the local Municipality, and covers environmental education and training, biodiversity, recuperation and sustainability of the Palmito plant involving the land owners and inhabitants of the region. Visits and discussions with three main landowners/farmers were carried out.

In addition, the CTA accompanied by Adriana Mattoso, visited the Paraty local primary school - "Casaescola", and discussed with the Principal the possibility of GHF assistance and support in their environmental education programme. This school will eventually submit a project proposal to GHF for follow-up.

An amount of 16'000 Swiss Francs is needed for 2008.