GRUPO ITÁPOLIS - Social Action and Reintegration
PROJECT ANCHIETA
www.projetoanchieta.org.br

The Anchieta Project is a social project located in a wetland area of   220.000m2 in the Grajaú quarter in the southern zone of the city of São Paulo. Its stated mission is the social reintegration of families in at-risk situations.

Today the Anchieta Project takes care directly of about 450 people between childhood and youth and offers regular cultural and sporting workshops, making it possible for the participants to achieve a varied and full development. The project also began an environmental program aiming at the recovery of the dams and wetland areas and the construction of an ecological park. Besides this, it will soon initiate the construction of an academy, a space to pursue the physical, social, intellectual, cultural and professional development of the human being.
We welcome you to the Anchieta Project.  We are offering you:  
• Lodging and food during your stay; 
• Affection, attention and joy in receiving you.
• Full involvement in activities with children and young people: cultural and sporting events, recreation, accompanying them on walks and providing general support to the educators. 
• Working the Land: creation and reconstruction of gardens and agriculture.    
• Painting Graffiti on the walls of the Anchieta Project (the Anchieta project is located within an area of 220.000 m2 surrounded by walls. Our aim is “to graffiti” the entire wall around the P.A.   
• Kitchens: support in the preparation of the meals.  
• Creativity: Please bring your ideas and knowledge to create ways of working together.      

About the Projeto Anchieta

In the year 1997, the Anchieta Project started their sporting and recreational activities and began work on the construction of its housing project. To begin with, there were about 50 children and adolescents involved. Today, over 400 are registered, from 3 to 17 years old. About 500 adults, parents and members of the community have already participated in professional courses. Activities have been extended to areas like Education, Culture, professional life, Health, Environment and Community participation.

Community campaigns such as the collection of winter clothing for the children are part of what is regularly organised.

Anchieta is also involved in the maintenance and cleansing of the dams and wetlands, and tries to maintain the natural balance of this ecosystem in the face of the pollution and erosion that threatens it due to the proximity of the nearby slum areas.
Many people are involved in some way in this project, ranging from professionals (doctors, dentists, teachers, administrators) to students from the universities and colleges nearby.

There is also a large community housing project, which provides houses at a modest rental to families at risk for the period that it takes for the youngest child of the family to attain his or her 18th year. Thereafter, the family should be able to be reintegrated into society.