This social and educational project to promote children’s development and provide assistance for families ran from 2006 to 2008. It targeted the State of Bahia, situated in Brazil’s semi-arid region, which also registers the country’s worst social indicators.    

‘Building a tomorrow’ was based on developing family and municipal competences in terms of acknowledging families’ rights and obligations as the principal institution responsible for protecting and caring for children and the provision of information and awareness. The awareness raising campaign reached a total of 7,500 families. 

The Iberostar FOUNDATION’s specific contribution to this project was the financing of the construction and launch of a Leading Centre for Children’s Development and Family Aid. The objective was to provide assistance for children aged 0-6 and their families, through support activities designed to comply with their basic obligation to provide protection, care and education for their children; offer information and integration into existing social programmes; encourage and support parents wishing to complete their schooling; provide preventive health advice; and encourage social participation and associationism. A further objective was to use the centre as a training centre for educators, parents or guardians responsible for minors in the municipality of Mata de Sâo Joâo.

The centre, which opened in November 2008 under the name ‘Centro D. Miguel Fluxà Rosselló’, is an example for other schools in the region. With a capacity for more than 300 children in two shifts, facilities at the 400 m2 centre include 5 classrooms, a playroom, park, nursery, breast-feeding room, walk-in clinic, kitchen, dining room and four toilets. The centre is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team comprising 20 professionals, who are supported by community health workers that belong to the Family Health Programme and Tutelage Council. The school is currently used by more than 700 children aged between 0 and 6, divided into two shifts, and 300 families, selected on the bases of their low incomes. The results of this initiative are improved access and standards in children’s education, as well as integrating and strengthening the children’s aid network.