Building futures with a new school

Building a new school anywhere in the world is a major undertaking, and this was no different in Brazil. Despite the unforeseen barriers that needed to be overcome along the way, the project team persevered, and we’re overjoyed to announce that the school is open.

With the project now complete, the time has come to begin sharing the result of almost two years’ hard work and dedication. Over the coming weeks, we will be releasing a bonus episode of the Personally Speaking podcast, as well as a feature film, to help us tell the story of the school to all of you, as well as our partners, clients and the wider world. We will be discussing the origins of the project and showcasing what has been accomplished.

Whilst these are in production, I wanted to share my first-hand experience of visiting the school in its opening week.

Back to Brazil

‍At the end of January, I headed back to Brazil, honoured to be meeting up with Phil, Patricia and Ana again to visit the new school and witness the incredible work that has taken place since I was last there.

What was planned, was a three-day visit to document the incredible achievements of everyone who has been involved in the delivery of the school project; K2 team members, our clients and supply chain partners, and of course those who have been on the ground project managing the construction. What unfolded, was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the chance to see in-person how the school building has provided much more than bricks and mortar to the local community. The new school has not only given children and staff a safe space in which they are able to thrive together, but its construction has also driven development in the immediate vicinity and beyond. By bringing investment, infrastructure, education and opportunity to the area it is changing not just the local landscape, it is changing futures.

Travel time between the school and K2’s São Paulo office is 1-2 hours, depending on traffic and weather. Making this journey at the beginning and end of the day provided time for reflection and an opportunity to consider the impact of the project, not just for the children who will be attending the school, but for the people of Parelheiros.”

Arriving at the new school

‍Driving through the streets of the favela, there is always lots of activity; locals going about their daily life, bikes being ridden, football being played, dogs off on their canine adventures – it feels welcoming, and full of life.

Passing the original school, still notable on the street for its bold artwork on the now closed and locked shutters, it seems small, huddled between the buildings that flank it. By contrast, as we approach the new school, the vibrant colours of a fresh new art installation signal something special to come.

The new building is spectacular. A bright, Lego–like, colourful block of joy sits proudly in the new location. As we get out of the car, the sounds of play and happiness fill the air – this noise, coupled with the sight of the K2 logo painted on the front of the building, evokes a sense of pride and feeling of emotion that is hard to put into words.

The new school boasts the following features and facilities:

• 4 x dedicated classrooms.
• 4 x dedicated activity rooms for smaller children and afternoon nap time.
• 10 x toilets across the three floors.
• 3 x showers across the three floors.
• A fully stocked and equipped kitchen and pantry.
• A large dining space for all to come together.
• Offices and staff spaces.
• An indoor play space to host playtime, dancing and performances.
• A fenced roof terrace with space to play football and ride bikes.
• 4 x allotment spaces on the roof terrace for the children to grow plants and vegetables.
• A lift to access all floors.
• Safe electrics.
• Effective plumbing.

Whilst much of this might seem like a given, the sort of things you would expect to see in any fully operational school, many of these fairly basic facilities were not present in the old building.

Daily activity

‍Each day I entered that school with my K2 colleagues, I was welcomed with smiles, waves, and by the last day a “hello James and feel (Phil)!” in near perfect English.

Whilst there, we spent time documenting everything, photographing and filming the children, teachers, staff, local supporters and school facilities, hoping to capture the essence of the project, and create a rich mix of video and images to help us shine a light on the school and our collective success.

Every day of the trip was different. Below is just a small sample of some of what we saw during our visit, though seemingly simple, all monumental to this community:

• Lessons in English, maths and now computing (thanks to a donation from K2 of 10 tablets) take place with order and attention.
• Planting of vegetables on the roof, not only providing a resource to the kitchen on the ground floor but also teaching the children of the importance of self-sufficiency.
• Lunch time at the school is a noisy affair, every child gets fed with a healthy, hearty, meal, prepared in the new kitchen.
• Visits from the local Police were a concern at first sight, until we understood that this is a weekly event, connecting the children with a force for good and building trust in those that are there to guide and protect them.
• Greater infrastructure support for those that really need it comes in the form of a lift and handrails so no child is excluded, with showers, drinking water and clean toilets available on each of the three floors.
• An increase in bathroom facilities means every child can return home clean.
• The large play space and the roof terrace can be used to host organisations such as the local Capoeira group, giving the children more than just an education, connecting them with their culture.
• Weekly medical checks now take place in a stocked infirmary, ensuring every child now has access to care when required.