The “Curioso de Mim” Project helps people suffering from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic
TheCurious of Myself project aims to support those who have lost their income and need medical care. Find out about the project here at Lupa!
There are no obstacles when we want to help others. In this article, we will learn a little bit more about “Curioso de Mim” (Curious of Myself), a project from Minas Gerais that found an interesting way to support itself: through sales of themed tea towels.
The Curious of Myself project provides access to specialised medical appointments for patients with COVID-19 Pandemic sequelaein Centro Contagem, Belo Horizonte Metropolitan Region, Minas Gerais.
It was conceived in early 2021 and after a short period of existence, it has already positively impacted the lives of more than 200 citizens. The project aims to support those who have lost their income and need medical care but can’t afford it.
Curious of Myself was created by Dr. Raquel Bibiana da Silva, who graduated in 2013. The psychologist told more details about the project in an interview for Coluna da Neuza. Check it out:
Neuza Nascimento: How did it all start?
Dr. Raquel Bibiana: I learned through comments from co-workers and friends that many people had sequelae (left by COVID-19) and that they were caused by social isolation and depressive symptoms. These people were no longer finding meaning in life because of all the losses that the disease caused and because of the sudden lack of income, as many were unemployed. This information made me feel deeply uneasy, and I thought “How could I help?”. So I invited some private patients to join me in a mission to help these people overcome the sufferings they had experienced—and that many of them were still experiencing.
At first, only two patients embraced the cause and made donations. However, as the proposal developed, more people identified with the project and began to get involved. Finally, other health professionals decided joined us and strengthened the project. It takes a village to achieve such a goal.
Finally, as I realised the strength that emerges when there is union and involvement and after seeing the improvements it brought about in the lives of those who were helped – I decided to create a social project. This is how Curious of Myself was born, with the support of people close to us who also saw this need in our community.
The project continues to take place inside Dr. Raquel’s office, in a psychology centre. But, currently, the appointments have gone further and started to take place in other private offices, with volunteer professionals.
Neuza Nascimento: What are the necessary criteria for a person to undergo care?
Dr. Raquel Bibiana: I conduct an interview with the interested candidate, in which socio-economic information is given. So after that, the person is directed to the specialist in the requested area, based on their individual needs. And if we already have a professional in the segment registered, I’ll direct them immediately. When I don’t have it, I look for someone who can provide the service. The project serves the elderly, adults, young people, and children starting from the age of five, with a per capita income of (up to) one and a half minimum wage.
Neuza Nascimento: Who sponsors the project?
Dr. Raquel: We don’t have sponsors. We support ourselves by selling tea towels.
Neuza Nascimento: How does this process work?
Dr. Raquel: When patients arrive at the office, after going through the screening and being accepted into the project, I deliver a package with 5 tea towels to be sold by each one. A portion of the funds raised is invested as a stipend for volunteer professionals. The rest is devoted to the maintenance of the project.
These tea towels are made from donated cotton fabric bags. The making, embroidery, and painting of the motivational phrases contained in them are done through voluntary work. All the people involved make themselves available spontaneously.
Our biggest challenge currently is to increase production to at least 300 pieces per month and maintain this level. Registered patients make sales as a way of feeling responsible for what they want and need. In this case, for specialised medical appointments.
It’s not free, it’s not welfare. Everyone is involved with the project, it’s an exchange. This was the way we found to support this work and make specialised medical appointments possible, without payment or a long wait.
Neuza Nascimento: What inspired the name “Curioso de Mim” (Curious of Myself)?
Dr. Raquel: The name was born from the articulation between psychology and the social project because I believe that the curiosity of human beings must always be linked primarily to themselves. Our intention is also to encompass human and social issues that involve the world as a whole.
We came up with some activities, like the Conversation Circles, in which we always approach the personal, subjective, and unique problems of each individual.
Neuza Nascimento: How do you feel about the success of the project?
Dr. Raquel: It’s such a great joy that it makes me emotional. I felt victorious by the moment the very first patient arrived. Imagine, our surprise when we reached 30, 40, and the numbers kept growing!
Today, there are already 80 people going to doctor’s appointments and being treated by specialists. We take care of all types of cases, including children with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and other syndromes.
I consider implementing this project a huge achievement. But there is no doubt that our greatest victory is to see that the people in need can arrive here and get support.
Other Curious of Myself activities
In addition to medical care, Conversation Circles are also held on various topics related to women: quality of life, self-knowledge, and children’s education. Dr. Raquel says that this activity has been consecrated as a great support movement for the participants, explaining that “the reports of their experiences make it grow”.
Besides that, during the conversations that take place weekly, they make the crochet details used in the tea towels together, contributing to the development of the pieces.
The Conversation Circles are accompanied by a social worker and have the support of the secretary of the psychology centre, Kelma Cristina, who helps to guide the group.
Finally, the project also offers booster classes giving the opportunity to children who cannot afford to pay for private support to improve their studies.
About future plans
“We intend to expand our actions, setting up a tea towel tent on the street. The goal would be to increase the amount of money raised. In addition, we want to take partner professionals to the city square, promoting movements for emotional, physical, spiritual and mental health.”, says Dr. Raquel.
“We also aim to disseminate knowledge through public lectures, thus increasing the number of beneficiaries”, she explains.
To sum up, I would like to record the affectionate and grateful words of the secretary of the Psychology Centre: “It is a pleasure for all of us, involved in the Curious of Myself project, to have the opportunity to see our work – which we carry out with so much love and affection – in Coluna da Neuza. We appreciate the generosity and hope that this area will constantly multiply the desire to do good! May the paths of all involved be trodden with great battles and many victories.”
The team:
Dr. Raquel Bibiana da Silva – Psychologist; Dr. Claudia – Psychopedagogue; Dr. Fernanda Amaral – Nutritionist; Kelma Cristina – Secretary of the Psychology Nucleus; Dr. Letícia Lage – Psychologist; Dr. Luciana – Physiotherapist; Dr. Marlene Alves – Nutritionist; Dr. Natalia – Physiotherapist; Dr. Patrícia Martins – Social Worker and Dr. Simone – Psychologist.
Did you like this project and want to help?
The Psychology Centre is located at Rua Professora Neuza Rocha, 350/103 – Centro de Contagem, Minas Gerais.
Contacts:
+55 (31) 9289-2610
raquelbibianapsicologa@gmail.com
If any bag manufacturer – which is the main raw material for dish towels – can make donations, we would appreciate it.
Besides that, companies (and people) can order themed dish towels to give away or as gifts. There are several ways to help the project. Join us!
