Community Development Through IT Training In Rio

A resident of a favela since he was 10, Luiz Carlos da Silva Payer, 25, is an excellent example of the transformative power of training for building a successful career. In 2005, when he was 16 years old, Luiz Carlos had his first contact with a computer through a digital inclusion course at the NGO CEACA- Vila. The course, however, was not free. Unable to pay the course fee, he was forced to quit during the first module. Nevertheless, due to his superior work-ethic, his professors eventually found a way to invite him back to the course free of charge.

His teachers´ initial impression proved accurate and he quickly demonstrated superior talent in IT. Realizing his potential, the NGO CEACA-Vila later invited him to be a part of the newly created IT Nucleus, developed in partnership with CDI. There, Luiz Carlos, was a part of the technology support team, working specifically with the assembly and maintenance of the organizations’ computers. In 2007,  in addition to his first full-time job at the IT Nucleus, Luiz Carlos also enrolled in college studying IT.

In 2010, after graduating from Celso Lisboa University (Faculdade Celso Lisboa), Luiz Carlos left CEACA-Vila and accepted a position at CDI as a Support Analyst, leading a team of 6 people. This year, Luiz Carlos was invited to join the team of an American market-research firm, Mobile Metrix, to work as the technology coordinator. As one of Mobile Metrix core team members, he works on projects throughout Brazil.

With a model resume and excellent references, Luiz Carlos is also working on many individual pursuits. He has already begun to develop his own business within the area of technology. “One day, I would like to be my own boss and reach even higher levels”.

There is no greater reward than visualizing the success of Luiz Carlos and the other individuals currently in training at CEACA Vila.