By Mayara and Emmanuelle | Project manager
Rebeca Andrade, the first Brazilian female gymnast to win Gold at Paris 2024, began her journey in a social project. Her story shows how such programs can open doors and change lives, just as we believe in the potential of every child at Arca.
Pride and inspiration: Igor Lima and Rayssa Silva at the Pre-Olympic Games in France
We had the privilege of sending two of our young people, Igor Lima and Rayssa Silva, represent Arca at the Pre-Olympic Games at Festival 24 in France. It was a proud and inspiring moment for all Arca members, as well as for the entire local community. They joined over 500 youths from 35 countries, showing how sport breaks social and economic barriers while promoting unity, friendship, and respect.
Rayssa has discovered rugby thanks to Arca do Saber at an early age. Her passion for this sport led her to excel at PAC (Arca's partner rugby club) and to seek professional training at Arca do Crescer. Now 18, she trains as a coach and inspires other young women and teenagers in the Vila Prudente favela.
Igor found an escape from the difficulties of favela life through breakdancing. A student of Arca de Noé and Arca do Crescer, he became a breakdance teacher at Arca do Saber in 2019. In addition to teaching dance, Igor works at the Recifavela recycling cooperative. His talent and devotion have made him a role model, inspiring other young people to pursue their dreams.
Their trip to France - from the preparation, to the flight to Paris, to meeting their global peers and attending the Olympic Opening Ceremony - has boosted their self-esteem and proved to Arca's beneficiaries in Vila Prudente that dreams can come true despite challenges.
Exhibition at Arca: The Olympics in Paris
To celebrate Igor and Rayssa’s journey and Brazilian medalists, Arca held the "Olympic Games in Paris" exhibition in August, a celebration of the Franco-Brazilian relationship and the positive impact of culture and sport. Arca's children and young people played a major role in the designing and aassembling of the exhibition including a life-size silhouette of Igor and a rugby simulation. The event was a success, bringing together many families of the community and staff sharing the passion and inspiration of the Games.
This international chain of solidarity that connects the children of Vila Prudente to the rest of the world is built by you, day after day. It is your ongoing donations that allow Arca to offer sports, artistic, and cultural activities to children and teenagers, helping to shape their future. So, we rely on you. Save the date: December 3rd, Giving Tuesday.
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By Emmanuelle Grisez and Mayara Evangelista | Project leaders
By Emmanuelle and Mayara | Project leaders
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