25/11/2024 11h00

The support includes donations of books, materials, and furniture for municipal schools, furniture and household appliances for vulnerable families, as well as free psychological support and other aid initiatives

Between November 25 and 30, the BRF Institute, the social arm of BRF dedicated to promoting sustainable development in the communities where the company operates, will conduct a series of new deliveries and donations as part of the +Together for The South initiative for educational institutions and vulnerable families in four cities in the Taquari Valley – Lajeado, Cruzeiro do Sul, Arroio do Meio, and Estrela – which were affected by the floods that occurred in May this year. In this phase, the support includes the donation of over 3,200 books, materials, and furniture for 10 municipal schools, furniture and household appliances for 273 families, along with free psychological support and other aid initiatives. Here are the details:

Donation of Furniture and Household Appliances: 273 kits containing furniture and household appliances will be delivered to families in Lajeado and Cruzeiro do Sul, selected by the Social Assistance Departments of both municipalities after an extensive mapping process. This new phase complements the delivery of 300 kits made in June.

Psychological Support: In partnership with the CAIFCOM Institute, known for its courses and events focused on community and family therapies with an emphasis on mental health and integrative practices, the BRF Institute will offer six months of free psychological care. The therapeutic centers will be set up in Lajeado, Cruzeiro do Sul, Arroio do Meio, and Estrela, also welcoming people from neighboring cities and providing a safe and supportive space for families in the process of emotional recovery. Following the community therapies, there will also be training for local trainers of the methodology, as a legacy to the municipalities.

Educational Support: Over 3,200 books will be donated to 10 schools in the Taquari Valley: EEEM Guararapes (Arroio do Meio), EMEF Antônio Domingos Ciceri Filho (Cruzeiro do Sul), EEEF Moinhos (Estrela), EMEF Leo Joas (Estrela), Colégio Estadual Presidente Castelo Branco (Lajeado), EMEF Alfredo Lopes da Silva (Lajeado), EMEI Dona Maria Julieta (Estrela), EMEF Risque e Rabisque (Lajeado), EEEF Fernandes Vieira (Lajeado), and EMEF Jacob Sehn (Cruzeiro do Sul). The last four will also receive essential school materials and furniture to help restore classrooms and cafeterias.

Support for Young People: Financial support will be provided to SLAN (Sociedade Lajeadense de Atendimento à Criança e ao Adolescente), which serves children and adolescents aged 2 to 15 years in vulnerable situations. The organization offers educational activities, workshops, and meals during off-school hours, providing essential support for the development of these children and adolescents and contributing to social inclusion and strengthening the local community.

Recovery of Community Spaces: The recovery of recreational and community spaces at the CRAS and CREAS in Lajeado, which were severely affected by the floods, is underway. New donations include televisions, sound systems, as well as toys and recreational games, with the aim of promoting the well-being of children and rebuilding the community activities that were harmed by the floods.

Raquel Ogando, executive director of the BRF Institute, emphasizes that the institute’s role goes beyond emergency support. “Our commitment to the communities is ongoing, with concrete actions that not only minimize the impacts of the floods but also promote sustainable long-term recovery. The new deliveries reflect our efforts to offer dignity, support, and the necessary resources to families, helping them rebuild their lives. Our goal is to build a safer and more prosperous future for everyone,” she adds.

Commitment to the Local Economy and New Partnerships
To strengthen and support businesses in the Taquari Valley, all material purchases were made with suppliers from Rio Grande do Sul. "This action is a way to support suppliers who are still facing challenges caused by the floods earlier this year. Many of these businesses are in the recovery process, and by prioritizing them, we aim to contribute to the recovery of the local economy," says Gabriele Candido, coordinator of the BRF Institute.

+Together for The South
The new deliveries and donations are part of BRF’s ongoing efforts to support the population of Rio Grande do Sul in recovering from the impacts of the floods. Shortly after the disaster in May, BRF joined forces with Marfrig to provide emergency aid. Through BRF Institute’s Humanitarian Aid Fund, over R$ 6 million was raised, and the delivery of 2 tons of non-perishable food, 93 tons of protein, more than 9,000 meals, and 20 tons of dog and cat food was organized. This mobilization involved over 200 BRF employees and volunteers, reinforcing the company’s commitment to the well-being of the affected communities.