Minas Gerais

02/05/24

The Vale Foundation expanded its operations in Minas Gerais with the launch of the Education and Health Program in the municipalities of Catas Altas, Rio Piracicaba and Santa Bárbara, located in the central region of the state. In partnership with city halls and municipal departments, the program aims to improve literacy learning indicators, combat school exclusion and strengthen preventive health and social assistance. It is estimated that more than 2,500 students and 55,000 users of the Unified Health System (SUS) and the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) will benefit. 

Pâmella De-Cnop, executive director of the Vale Foundation, highlights the importance of contributing to social development and the autonomy of communities through education, health and social assistance. “We are excited to partner and work together with city halls and local social organizations to ensure comprehensive and lasting transformations”, she says.   

Health 

One of the projects of the program is the Health and Social Protection Cycle, carried out in collaboration with the Health Promotion Center (Cedaps), which seeks to improve the quality of health and social assistance services. The project includes continuous training of professionals and managers, in addition to the donation of essential equipment, such as blood pressure measuring devices, stretchers and computers, to improve care in the 25 Basic Health Units (UBS) and 3 Social Assistance Reference Centers (CRAS) of the municipalities.

Education 

To promote full literacy, the Literacy Trails project will offer continuing education for teachers from the 1^st to the 3^rd year of Elementary School, with teaching materials adapted to the local culture. In partnership with Roda Educativa (formerly Cedac), the initiative will reach 211 educators from 22 public schools in the three municipalities.  

The Networked Territories project will be implemented to ensure access to education, reintegrating children and adolescents aged 4 to 17 who have left school or are at risk of dropping out. In collaboration with Cidade Escola Aprendiz, a dedicated team will conduct home visits, social monitoring of families and mobilization of institutions to overcome the obstacles that prevent these children from attending classrooms.