Movimento Renovador Paulo VI is a social initiative in Embu-Guaçu, São Paulo, Brazil, that has existed for over 51 years. It was founded on January 17, 1968, by Friar Henrique de Pirassununga, who implemented activities focused on literacy, fighting against high numbers of illiteracy in the area. This illiteracy was due to no schools existing in the city, which had recently emancipated from another city, Itapecerica da Serra.
Currently, the organization is directed by a volunteer executive director. For 43 years, Movimento Renovador Paulo VI holds has held beneficiary events with the support of volunteers, partners, and the community, for the organization’s sustainability and to develop projects to benefit the community.
- Between 1968 and 1979, they focused on adult literacy and a pre-school. They were pioneers in early childhood education. In the same time period, the institution, which previously had religious directors, went through restructuring of their governance and included on their board members of civil society, hoping to amplify their reach and be sustainable. Since then, the organization does not have religious or political goals;
- In 1979, they founded their first daycare, “Os Pequeninos” (“The Little Ones”). In 1989, they started socio-educational work in the form of an after school program for children and teenagers six to 15 years old. The program took place in a building donated to the organization by what used to be the orphanage “Lar Irmã Inês.” From this point forward, they became known in the city for their work in education, sports, and culture;
- In 2001, with the support of a German doctor, Jojo Dockter, a career training center named after the doctor was inaugurated. It was a pioneer in the city, offering courses in several different areas and becoming legally able to help youth with apprenticeship positions in 2006;
- In 2009, the organization was named a “Culture Point” by the Secretary of Culture of the state of São Paulo, due to the cultural activities they offer to children, teenagers, and their families;
- In 2015, they won the 11th Edition of Itaú-Unicef Prize, with their project called “Entre o Sonho e a Realidade” (“Between the Dream and Reality”), for the activities they developed in partnership with a public school, E. E. Paschoal Carlos Magno;
- In 2017, they won the 12th Edition of the Itaú-Unicef Prize with their project called “Construindo Olhares” (“Building Visions”), for their educational and cultural activities they developed in partnership with another public school, E. E. Leonice de Aquino Oliveira.
