The Presidente Tancredo Neves Rural Family Home (CFR-PTN), Agroforest Family Home (Cfaf) and Igrapiúna Rural Family Home (CFR-I) are now part of the Associated Schools of Brazil Program (PEA) – UNESCO, an international network of teaching institutions that work based on the values and development of the culture of sustainability and peace.

The three Family Homes are supported by the Odebrecht Foundation through the Program for Development and Growth Integrated with Sustainability (PDCIS). The teaching institutions create the conditions for access to an education that is set in context, geared toward the reality of the rural region and focused on training rural entrepreneurs.

“This is incredible work that generates opportunities,” said Myriam Tricate, National Coordinator for PEA-UNESCO. “Implemented by people who like what they do, who are concerned with future generations and with education,” she said.

National Meeting

Accompanied by representatives from the Odebrecht Foundation, students Alisson Costa, Anailton Santos, Débora de Jesus, Lázaro Santana, Patrícia dos Santos and Vanessa Souza traveled to Curitiba on September 30 for the 21st National PEA – UNESCO Meeting, where the distinction was announced. The event was attended by approximately 400 educators and specialists from all over the country.

With a video created by first year students at CFR-I, the meeting participants were visibly moved by the testimonials of Alisson, age 17, from CFR-PTN, and Patrícia, age 17, from Cfaf, who talked about the social transformation in their lives and their future perspectives as rural entrepreneurs.

“By joining the Family Home, I found the opportunity to develop my career in the rural region with quality of life,” said Alisson. “I told my story and represented all my colleagues here today. I’m very happy about this,” she said.