{"id":79955,"date":"2025-09-15T08:00:30","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T11:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=79955"},"modified":"2025-09-13T15:57:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T18:57:52","slug":"favela-inclusion-project-transforms-lives-through-love-of-others-education-sports-and-culture-profile","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=79955","title":{"rendered":"Favela \u2018Inclusion Project\u2019 Transforms Lives Through Love of Others, Education, Sports and Culture [PROFILE]"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"On<\/a>
On a side street in \u00c9den, S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Meriti, a friendly-looking blue building serves as home to the Inclusion Project. Photo: Pauline Okyere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

This article is part of a\u00a0<\/i>series of profiles of initiatives in Rio de Janeiro\u2019s Sustainable Favela Network<\/a><\/i>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Initiative<\/span>:<\/strong> Inclusion Project (Projeto Inclus\u00e3o)
\nContact<\/span>: Facebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a> | <\/strong>WhatsApp +55 (21) 964686394 and 976688714
\nYear Founded<\/span>:<\/strong> 2014
\nCommunity<\/span>:<\/strong> \u00c9den, S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Meriti (in Greater Rio de Janeiro\u2019s Baixada Fluminense region)<\/span>
\nMission<\/span>:<\/strong> Transforming lives through the love of others, education, sports and culture.
\nPublic Events<\/span>:<\/strong> The project offers a range of activities open to the public, including handicraft fairs and collective action clean-ups that promote sustainability and environmental conservation. They also host lively <\/span>Festa Junina<\/span><\/a> celebrations. Event details are shared on the project\u2019s <\/span>Instagram<\/span><\/a> profile and through local WhatsApp groups<\/span>.
\nHow to Contribute<\/span>:<\/strong> Volunteer your time, donate materials and goods (such as snacks for the kids, school supplies, etc.), or make financial contributions.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Tucked away on a side street in <\/span><\/i>\u00c9den<\/span><\/i><\/a>, a friendly-looking blue building with a small courtyard serves as home to the <\/span><\/i>Inclusion Project<\/span><\/i><\/a>. A schedule posted on the wall highlights the wide range of activities and resources offered to the community\u2014from <\/span><\/i>chess<\/span><\/i><\/a> to poetry, literature to soccer. The project also provides therapeutic support, with a psychologist, a neuroeducational specialist and speech therapist assisting residents with learning challenges, trauma and emotional well-being. Currently partnering with <\/span><\/i>Gerando Falc\u00f5es<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2014a national organization born in the favelas of S\u00e3o Paulo recognized for strengthening grassroots initiatives across the country\u2014the project offers income and employment opportunities through training courses. Many families in \u00c9den, a neighborhood in <\/span><\/i>S\u00e3o Jo\u00e3o de Meriti<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2014a municipality in Greater Rio\u2019s <\/span><\/i>Baixada Fluminense<\/span><\/i><\/a> region\u2014can only afford the bare essentials to meet their needs. Through partnerships with other organizations, institutions and private supporters, the Inclusion Project works to bridge these gaps by offering access, care, and opportunities to the community.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

How It All Started: Origins and Teaching Philosophy<\/h3>\n

The Inclusion Project has been strengthening and expanding the sociability, self-awareness and autonomy of \u00c9den\u2019s residents since 2014. Advocating for equity\u2014especially for children and youth\u2014the initiative consistently develops creative and thoughtful ways to promote education<\/a> and foster knowledge within the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a space where [residents] can just drop by, come in, and stay… because they feel at home. And that’s the whole point\u2014for them to truly feel at home, genuinely welcome.\u201d \u2014 \u00c9lida Nascimento<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\u00c9lida<\/a>
\u00c9lida Nascimento and her husband, Marcos J\u00fanior, founders of the project. While working at a school, \u00c9lida noticed that her students were struggling and felt disconnected from what they were learning. That concern was the spark leading her to found the Inclusion Project. Photo: Pauline Okyere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Founded by educator \u00c9lida Nascimento and her husband, Marcos Ant\u00f4nio J\u00fanior, the Inclusion Project has always been centered on education. While working at a school, Nascimento noticed that many of her students were struggling academically<\/a>, with some having been held back several grades at a very young age. The lack of motivation and joy in learning she observed in them both concerned and deeply distressed her. Seeking to understand the root causes of these challenges, the initiative was born.<\/p>\n

Nascimento and J\u00fanior did not initially set out to found an institution; rather, the idea took shape as they saw how non-formal educational support led to better academic results, increased joy in learning, and social transformation. What began as a small initiative to assist a group of ten children quickly expanded, with another group following soon after.<\/p>\n

Since the very first course in 2014\u2014focused on teaching <\/span>literacy<\/span><\/a> to ten children\u2014Nascimento has ensured that her approach differs from the traditional methods used in formal education. A key element of the Inclusion Project\u2019s methodology is drawing content from personal life experiences and highlighting connections between curriculum topics and their relevance to the children\u2019s daily lives. The approach also emphasizes the recognition and development of what Nascimento describes as \u201cmultiple intelligences,\u201d encouraging children to discover their unique strengths and talents rather than constantly comparing themselves to others.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Sports,<\/a>
Sports, art, learning, and plenty of care are present in every corner of the Inclusion Project. Everything is thoughtfully designed to build hope, knowledge and opportunities for the community. Photo: Pauline Okyere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The way education and knowledge are introduced to participants is light and engaging, often incorporating play, storybooks, <\/span>music<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>sports<\/span><\/a>. In this way, the courses offered by the Inclusion Project generate more impact than might appear at first glance. Subtly, participants develop self-confidence, respect and self-esteem. They learn to appreciate community bonds and recognize the value of intangible resources such as good <\/span>health<\/span><\/a> and education.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn our country, we lose a lot simply due to a lack of information\u2014real information, knowledge… There\u2019s still a real lack of information. Even though we have full access to the Internet today, information still doesn\u2019t reach people in clear ways. This makes things much more difficult.\u201d \u2014 \u00c9lida Nascimento<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Access, Dignity and a Sense of Belonging<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/a>
The Inclusion Project\u2019s reading station, where anyone can stop by and check out a book. Reading is encouraged as a way to explore new stories, ideas, and worlds. Photo: Pauline Okyere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A quick glance at the organization\u2019s <\/span>Instagram profile<\/span><\/a> reveals just how much thought, care and awareness go into each planned activity. <\/span>Reading workshops<\/span><\/a>, for example, foster empathy by encouraging children to step into someone else\u2019s shoes, experience different realities, and see the world from another perspective. They also strengthen family bonds, inviting parents and children to read together. Sports and cultural activities are just as intentional. <\/span>Soccer<\/span><\/a> is more than a game\u2014it teaches teamwork, inclusion, and a <\/span>sense of belonging<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Capoeira<\/span><\/a>, beyond being an art form and physical exercise, promotes respect, discipline and cooperation while celebrating <\/span>Afro-Brazilian culture<\/span><\/a>. In a predominantly Black community like \u00c9den, these activities offer not just movement but a deeper connection to history, identity and the diversity that shapes the community and country as a whole. Every post, whether about literature, sports or the arts, reflects the project\u2019s carefully crafted pedagogical approach\u2014each detail thoughtfully designed to educate, empower and bring people together.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the Inclusion Project also offers a variety of courses specifically for <\/span>adults and seniors<\/span><\/a>, its core focus remains on supporting children and teens. Over time, the team found that by working with the children of \u00c9den, they naturally reached its families. Today, the initiative is widely known throughout the favela. Education through sports, <\/span>art<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>literature<\/span><\/a> and music is seen not just as a tool for individual growth, but as a means of strengthening the community as a whole.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the positive impact the initiative has had on many families, daily life in the favela still brings significant challenges. Most public services and cultural activities are only available elsewhere in the city, forcing residents to walk long distances or spend money they don\u2019t have on <\/span>public transport<\/span><\/a>. The Inclusion Project occasionally helps cover these costs, but resources are limited.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Computer<\/a>
Computer literacy class at the Inclusion Project. Photo: Pauline Okyere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Still, the organization moves forward, offering a consistent weekly schedule that includes poetry, reading, computer classes, soccer, chess and capoeira. Even when activities have to be scaled down, the focus remains on providing meaningful access to education and culture within the community itself.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPeople think they need to leave here to live well, but that\u2019s not true. You can live well here! You can have access here. Is it harder? Yes. But it\u2019s possible. It\u2019s a process. We really try to work on that, too\u2014to shift people\u2019s way of thinking and talk about a sense of belonging: ‘I like it here. I know my neighbors. There\u2019s a good course nearby, there\u2019s access\u2026 there\u2019s quality of life in my community.’\u201d \u2014 \u00c9lida Nascimento<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Looking Ahead<\/h3>\n

With the support of volunteers and partner organizations, the Inclusion Project hopes to launch a <\/span>college prep course<\/span><\/a> soon, for students aiming to take the <\/span>vestibular<\/span><\/i>\u2014Brazil\u2019s university entrance exam. There are also plans to eventually offer the exam on-site, turning the space into an official testing center and further reducing barriers to higher education for local residents.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another goal is to expand the technology program. As the job market becomes increasingly digital, the initiative aims to provide more in-depth computer training to help children and teens from the community gain practical skills and improve their future employment opportunities.<\/span><\/p>\n

Future plans for new courses are just as diverse as the community\u2019s needs\u2014covering topics such as motherhood, <\/span>environmental awareness<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>sustainability<\/span><\/a>. As members of the Sustainable Favela Network (<\/span>SFN<\/span><\/a>), founders \u00c9lida Nascimento and Marcos Ant\u00f4nio J\u00fanior have gained valuable learning experiences, forged key partnerships, and found renewed motivation to keep doing what they do best: building hope, knowledge, and opportunities from within their own community.<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information or to get involved, contact the Inclusion Project through their social media channels on <\/span><\/i>Instagram<\/span><\/i><\/a>, WhatsApp and <\/span><\/i>Facebook<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n