Today, we’re taking a closer look at Children, Incorporated’s presence and partnerships in Brazil thanks to guest posts from Kelsi Ramdeo, CI Director of Programs and Partnerships, who recently traveled there. Follow along in this special journey of providing new and improved opportunities to those who need it most.
Children, Incorporated is working in Lages, Brazil to support hard-working families that simply don’t have enough at the end of the day for a prosperous life. When a family in Lages is suffering there are a few organizations that work together to provide them relief and support. Though Children, Incorporated is one of those organizations, we can not do the job alone.
We recently reached out to the community of Lages to ask for help. One organization that answered our call for support was Caritas. Caritas is an organization that helps identify families in trouble and connect them to the support they desperately need. With the help of Caritas, we have begun the process of organizing the services and supporters in the community of Lages to provide more succinct, comprehensive and diverse support to the families and children of this community. Our goal is to serve 240 families in Lages, effectively helping more than 960 children and 480 parents have a better life.
We quickly learned that amazing things happen when we share our story. A Brazilian trucking company headquartered in Lages heard of our goal and the work we have begun and wanted to learn more. The Binotto transportation corporation has been serving children and families in Lages for years, and as we learned is a company that is deeply passionate about promoting good values and giving back to their community. When talking with them, I was nervous, expecting to have to make some type of sales pitch to them about our project with Caritas and why they should be interested. I had hoped that somehow hey would agree to help out and maybe just maybe contribute to our cause. What happened was so unexpected and genuinely amazing that I am still in disbelief.
I met with Marcia, Binotto’s sole adviser regarding its social responsibility efforts. When Marcia heard about Children, Incorporated and the work we do with children in Lages, she said she was excited to hear more details about our new program with Caritas. First, however, she wanted to let us know that Binotto wanted in. They wanted to be a part of our work, and not just the part where they write a check. She said they wanted to support our efforts through involvement and engagement at all levels. She was so excited by our shared passion that she wants her company to be considered a partner for the duration of this project.
I was speechless … could it really be that simple to get a company as large and well respected as Binotto to join the charge? I mean, Binotto has more than 4,000 employees in Brazil and is one of the largest companies in Lages. The answer – yep. I left Marcia with a promise to begin working on a strategy that will combine our work and experience with her company’s resources and passion. It’s anybody’s guess what it will look like when it’s finished, but isn’t it great to know we can do this?! We can serve 960 children this year, and we don’t have to do it alone! Thanks Marcia and Binotto!
You, too, can make a difference in Brazil. Right now, 24 children in our programs there are waiting for a sponsor. For less than one dollar per day, you can provide a Brazilian child with the critical, basic needs items he or she needs and deserves. Click here to make a difference today!