Instituto da Criança

Testimonials

  • Carla Chaves - Volunteer of Espaço Cidadão and Acadêmica da Cultura Inglesa Partnership Coordinator
    In November 2009

    "I would like the opportunity to actively participate in Projeto Espaço Cidadão (Citizen Forum) held at the Cultura Inglesa partnership with the Children’s Institute. It was, without a doubt, one of the best things we have done recently. I was very proud of the Cultura to get out there and give back with excitement. I think with people’s (entities and individuals) desire to earn as much as they can on many levels, this work is not only fair and due, but necessary and essential in the ethical and responsible culture of our world. Congratulations and thank you."

  • Rita de Cássia – Hora de Leitura Reading Circle Leader
    In October, 2009

    "The Children's Institute is nothing more than a group of people with noble hearts that give us the joy of knowing there are people who still care about others.

    Support for the Hora de Leitura, where I work, is a great example. I believe that support for reading in our country is essential for today's children to grow as readers. They will become aware of their role in society not with obligation, but with the certainty that the future depends on them."

  • Maria Thereza Fragoso and João Paulo Affonseca
    Volunteers at ICSP

    It is truly amazing to be soldiers in this “Army of Good Will”!!! Having the opportunity of seeing children and adolescents who before didn´t smile suddenly smile due to the simple act of giving a hug filled with love and sincerity is priceless. We have been working on this for approximately one year and it was what was missing for our lives and hearts to be complete and fulfilled. The IC is an institution that educates and supports us so that we can accomplish this work of literally “TRANSFORMING LIVES”.

    In july, 2009.

  • Tom Osborne
    IC’s colaborator since 2000

    "The grateful experience of working in the IC has shown me that the satisfaction, learning, and personal growth that it gives back are greater than any donation of time or resource that we can do.

    Also, there is efficiency and competition within the IC team, managed by Pedro Werneck and we have obtained results of various people that have benefited from the virtuous cycle that is the Instituto da Criança."

    In may, 2009.

  • Flávia Sampaio, Déborah Cheniaux and Carolina Costa – Instituto Consciência.
    Institution Partner

    It was a great pleasure to get to know Instituto da Criança, which today serves us as a reference, evaluates commitment and dedication with which it acts towards its projects, similar to the same principles that we value most: GENEROCITY, UNITY AND SOLIDARITY. Congratulations for the great and efficient actions!! They are small and simple gestures that are reflected in great and complex actions that are the size of the heart of all of the ones involved. It is with pride that the Instituto Consciência forms this fruitful partnership.

    In may, 2009.

  • Elaine Moura - Psychologist
    Volunteer Lecturer of the program “Espaço Cidadão”

    I really liked spending a few hours with people that made me reflect about my life, about what I have accomplished, what I have received and how I can help these people. They were people that helped me in my constant development and self-improvement. It was very good to talk about self-esteem to the people. Some of them didn’t even know the meaning of that word; to have affection, love, appreciation, kindness and patience with one-self and, as a consequence, broaden to other situations in our lives. In that way, time passed by, which at the beginning seemed enough, but with the increase in topics I wished to talk about, time became scarce. Even though we took more time than the activity was supposed to take, I still wanted more time, because I felt I could give more to these people. It was wonderful to add to these people’s lives the best of me! And then receive affection and experience in return. Thank you! The pieces start going together and we continue walking. This is the way life is made by daily small miracles that construct and develop us for eternity.

    In april, 2009.

  • Priscila Mendes
    Volunteer coordinator of the program “Hora da Leitura”, (Time for Reading)

    Society, governments, and the private sector should continue acting to increase access to books and provide an incentive to read.

    There is a huge part of the population that doesn’t know the requirements to reading or they know them very vaguely. Even by having access to books, what is missing is discovering the pleasure of reading and identifying the role reading takes in the development of the person. There is a close relationship between reading and education. The program “Hora da Leitura” plans to complement schools with the development of the learning process: learning, improvement and continuity in reading for the development of a good academic foundation, and encourage critical thinking within the readers, apart from providing books to the community.

    We need help from more volunteers to embrace the cause of “Hora da Leitura” since my job as a volunteer is limited in time and resources. The Instituto da Criança needs new volunteers to take responsibility to contribute with the development and growth of the program “Hora da Leitura”.

    We are all together in this mission to generate readers!

    “It is not enough to alphabetize, it is necessary to teach how to read”. – Dr. José Mindlin.

    In march, 2009.

  • Frederico Junqueira- Volunteer Coordinator for the project “Operação Sorriso” (Operation Smile)
    IC Volunteer

    “The IC weekly meetings are excellent. They should be called “the Third Sector’s forum of ideas and connections”. I don’t know of any other place where several projects and good deeds are planned, examined and become known, and where everyone gives their own opinion. This tool used by the Institute is very powerful and democratic. Furthermore, it highlights the good social actions that are occurring in Rio de Janeiro. It allows the Institute to collect contacts through their collaborators to be able to resolve the projects in mind. It is always interesting to attend these meetings.”

    In march, 2009.

  • Luana Piovani- Actress
    IC’s Volunteer and Donator

    “The Instituto da Criança gives me great pride! I’ve been participating for nine years with this group of friends and citizens that care about everyone’s well-being, not just their own…And that is exactly the belief this institute holds on to; the belief of generosity, solidarity, and social well-being. I have lost count on how many institutions have benefited thanks to their dedication and group work: Citizens for society. It is with great sympathy that I tell everyone the work that this Institute does, we do, and will do! I hope more friends come to participate on this good deed.”

    In march, 2009.

  • Isabel Maia – Instituto Recicla Vida (Recycle Life Institure)
    Institution Partner

    “We found that Instituto da Criança is a lot more that an organization ready to embrace good deeds, Instituto da Criança is the incubator that we needed. The IC has offered us all the legal, logistical, operational, and technical aid so that we could start the “Instituto Recicla Vida”. We rented a place always counting on the aid of all the IC team. A few months later, we began launching several programs like Espaço Cidadão, a Oficina da Beleza, Soccer and Capoeira. In this moment, we can predict that 2009 will be full of accomplishments by helping more than a thousand people per month. Instituto da Criança’s transparency, competence, and commitment inspire us to move forward and strengthen us during difficult times. We can confirm that their support has been fundamental. We are thankful for Instituto da Criança for their endless determination in the accomplishment of good deeds!”

    In february, 2009.

  • Priscila Bica- Marketing in Baronnetti Nightclub
    Company Partner

    “By reflecting on the sentiment of love for others, charity, and fraternity, I have awakened the desire of participating and doing something in my life that was truly worth it. Because of that, I loved knowing more about the Instituto da Criança and its projects. This committed institution has given me the pleasure of becoming part of their team in the name of Baronetti Club. I believe that the friendship that we built with our clients was elemental in this partnership. With the initiative of this nightclub and the immediate response of our clients to make this idea happen, we collected significant amounts of funds, there were 10! We are certain that everyone won in this partnership. It was fantastic. This was just one experience of the many that will come!

    I thank all of the people that make the Instituto da Criança happen. They fulfill the life of all the volunteers and mine with hope and love!”

    In february, 2009.

  • Vanessa Lopo
    IC Volunteer

    “It is difficult to find the words to express my feelings, but it is impossible to leave them behind in this moment. Being part of the IC, being part of a world of people that make a difference is the answer that my heart always looked for and where my heart always wanted to live. This has been one of the most significant experiences I have had! I learned that gratefulness is the act of praising; they both walk hand in hand. The act of thanking intonates sound and beauty above reality’s circumstances, which is what I am going to say: THANK YOU VERY MUCH for letting me be part of this renovating energy, which is to help yourself and others. THANK YOU VERY MUCH for the trust you have in me! It is the search of my own essence the one I want today. It has shown me that doing what we want to do and what we believe in gives us a meaning to our existence. Being in the IC today is one of the most truthful choices I have ever made and I want to continue helping every day! The IC gives me moments and feelings that give me a meaning of life. In the end, this is why we are here and only our deeds are the ones we will take with us forever, I hope these feelings are always between us and that we never stop from nourishing them!

    With love,

    Vanessa Lopo”

    In february, 2009.

  • Camila Matos- Marketing in “Lafem Engenharia”
    Company Partner

    “The work that I have done in the IC through Lafem has left me very happy and has strengthened me with the energy of reward that the IC creates with its actions. However, I always have the feeling that I could do more. I identified myself with the IC and I want to be closer every time with them. They can count on me!”

    In february, 2009

  • Renata Melillo
    IC Volunteer

    “Starting to work with the Instituto da Criança in São Paulo was like a dream come true. For a long time, I have wanted to contribute to society and give back a bit of everything good that life has given me!

    I can assure you with all my heart that the most efficient solution for the problems in this world is unconditional love; because love cures and builds everything! There is no limit to it. We are all made up of love, but unfortunately, during our lives, we accumulate layers of bad things that hide this powerful feeling. Working with children awakens the love that we all have hidden inside of us!

    I thank God for the existence of the people like the ones that work in the IC, who make that energy of unconditional love spread and thus build beautiful things and give the children happiness and dignity.

    I send a kiss to all of your hearts.”

    In february, 2009.

  • Silvia Adler
    Coordinator of Espaço Cidadão (Citizen Forum) of IC São Paulo

    “I have always wanted to participate in a project that helps the low-income society. It was when I participated in the Instituto da Criança’s first meeting in São Paulo that I felt I belonged. I noticed that I could somehow help to change lives and do what is good. Apart from being a great job, it gave me the opportunity of self-growth and to be surrounded by friends with the same purpose. I decided to give presentations about Family and Limits in Espaço Cidadão (Citizen Forum). Since I am a very shy person, it was a great obstacle for me to be speaking on stage. When I compromised to do these presentations, I knew it would be a challenge. I presented four speeches and I remembered that in the first one I was so nervous that at the beginning of it I blanked out. It was a unique experience, I learnt a lot from the parents. I listened to stories of hard work and also of affection. I am grateful everyday for this opportunity. With my heart I can say that this volunteering job is priceless and it gives a huge satisfaction back.”

    In 2008.

  • Flavio Canto- Judô Athelete, Olympic Medal-Winner, and president of the Instituto Reação
    Institution Partner

    “It is an honor to be part of all of this with the Espaço Cidadão (Citizen Forum) program helping the Instituto Reação. The results that we had were the best possible. Thank you very much! The proximity with the parents of our students was exactly the institute’s Achilles’ heel. Such actions are fundamental!”

    In 2008.

  • Roberta Sertã – Business Administration Student
    IC Volunteer

    “I had an excellent experience working in the Children’s playing space in Casa Cor, not only by helping and dealing with the children, but most importantly by knowing that I was helping the Instituto da Criança so that they can continue to bring benefits and improvements in the lives of those in need.”

    In 2008.

  • Alexandre Franklin de O. Pires
    IC Volunteer

    “It brings personal satisfaction to simply have the opportunity of giving something back to the community.

    If I can do something that brings an impact to someone or helps someone to improve his or her life, I know the difference that it can make for that person!

    Helping children is one of the best things I do. That is why I consider it a privilege to be part of this organization. In all of the institute’s actions of social responsibility, they use a unique manner of bringing attention to important social problems; they are constantly working in a creative way to improve the quality of life of the people through the projects they support.”

    In 2008.

  • Sister Maria Rita Figueiredo - Coordinator of “Lar São José”.
    Institution Partner

    “Our mission is to serve the ones in need in a familiar and friendly manner with the purpose of alleviating sorrows and promoting dignity and integrity to the human being. However, for this mission, which can turn out very difficult, to be accomplished, we need people with a charismatic spirit to also compromise and give in to this service.

    The IC actions are so important that Casa da Criança / Lar São José still continues today with its service for the less fortunate, and we owe a lot of it to Instituto da Criança, who’s been our partner for seven years and to their president Dr. Pedro Werneck, who got to know our Institution and felt the necessity of doing a partnership with us, giving us a great support.

    Doing service for the poor is doing service for Christ himself. When we begin to love and serve the other, it is Christ himself who we are loving and serving. This makes the world better every time; more human, more benevolent and brotherly (Mt 25:40). I am grateful for everything.

    With love, Sister Rita.

    In 2007.

  • Priscila Bentes - Circuito Elegante
    Company Partner

    “The Instituto da Criança provides us with the opportunity of developing our best quality: Generosity. To know that we can make a difference in the lives of other people is the best thing of my existence. I am thankful for the opportunity of being together with the IC and I prey God to protect and illuminate us to continue to be together, bringing a little of the loads we can do to create a fairer and better society for all.”

    In 2007.

  • Napoleão Fonyat - Sandpiper (Clothing Store)
    Company Partner

    “Since 1994, we have been supporting the Lar Santa Catarina, a project that was presented through the Instituto da Criança.

    I saw in this project the opportunity of truly making a difference.

    I am currently involved in several activities; I am a parent, an entrepreneur, but perhaps what gives me the most emotion to talk about is the opportunity of taking part of this project. The Lar Santa Catarina certainly gives my life a purpose, makes me have a mission, which is the mission of making a difference,

    I am very thankful for the opportunity that Lar Santa Catarina gave me to become better man.

    In 2007.

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