Without external support, the Association struggles to maintain activities for the Raiz da Serra’s residents

In distant Raiz da Serra or Vila Inhomirim, as it is known by some, a neighborhood-district in the municipality of Magé, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, where the body of Mané Garrincha, a Brazilian footballer that played in Botafogo, is buried.

There, in a peaceful place with abundant green areas, the Association of Residents, Friends, and Small Producers of Raiz da Serra, better known as the Association of Residents of Raiz da Serra, operates.

It was founded on May 1, 1986, when the associates were farmers who had banana plantations and others, but over time these farmers died, their children did not continue their work. So the association’s service became diversified and extended to all residents of the region and surrounding areas.

Celso Luiz de Santana, the association’s president, talks about what the institution represents to him and the activities offered: “The association is a place where we come together to deal with issues pertinent to the community. Here we perform capoeira, ballet, boxing, karate, and jiu-jitsu, in addition to serving children with autism spectrum disorders and others.”

“And, despite the organization not having its resources, we have been able to hold parties such as Mother’s Day, Children’s Day, and Christmas, through support in the form of donations from community residents and friendly people who know the work we do.”

Edson Carneiro, the first secretary of the association, and who also performs other functions as a volunteer, says that for him the most important thing is that the association is completely focused on the community and the time donated by each person is beneficial, not only for the children, adults, teenagers and the elderly who are cared for, but also for himself.

Edina Teixeira da Silva, educational psychologist and specialist teacher at the Public Network of Magé, metropolitan region of Rio, says that she had opportunities at the association and feels grateful because the institution helped her to complete her course. When she needed a space to carry out her internship, working with children, the association opened its doors to her and they remained open and became a partnership.

“Today I serve more than eight children with autism and other types of mental disorders here at the association and I also have the opportunity to teach literacy to others with learning difficulties. It’s cool to work with them, I’m biased to say this. It’s planting a seed, because I know it will germinate and become a functional, conscious, and cultural adult. That’s it, I think it’s a seed I’m planting”, Edina ends.

Celso adds: “It is a great satisfaction to work for the community. The association has many activities and our biggest difficulty is that we are an institution without external financial support, but with the help of the residents and the strength of the directors, we have fulfilled our mission, which is to work for the benefit of the community of Raiz da Serra. Our people deserve it.”

He ends by saying that the place is a historic site and has the ruins of the empire and other riches, but unfortunately, the public authorities have not yet paid attention to this. The territory is also a tourist area, people from various cities visit the Caminho do Ouro and climb the Serra Velha da Estrela, which is between Magé and Petrópolis.

They fight to get public authorities and society in general to help keep the flame of this legacy burning, but they have yet to find someone to help them.

The Association needs support, to help, contact us directly or call +55 (21) 98742-4261.

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