By Ajuda de Mae | Ajuda de Mae
The "By Ajuda de Mãe" project, developed by the Santarém office of Ajuda de Mãe, is a social business focused on the creative reuse of textile waste to promote the social and professional reintegration of mothers. The 2025 Evaluation Report highlights a year of significant recovery and growth for the initiative.
Beneficiary Profile
Participants: In 2025, 21 unemployed mothers were integrated into the project.
Demographics: The average age of participants was 35 years.
Family Structure: The majority belonged to nuclear families (13), followed by single-parent (4), extended (2), and reconstituted families (2).
Education: 12 participants completed secondary education, and 6 held higher education degrees.
Employment Status: 11 participants were in long-term unemployment, while 10 had been unemployed for less than 12 months.
Social and Professional Impact
Professional Integration: By the end of 2025, 9 mothers had entered the professional labor market, resulting in a 43% professional integration rate.
Personal Development: Participants reported improved self-esteem, motivation, and teamwork skills. The project also provided a vital support network for immigrants and helped combat social isolation.
Economic and Environmental Performance
The project saw a significant increase in sales and production in 2025:
Total Sales: €19,672.68 (a record high compared to previous years).
Products Sold: 6,187 items.
Payments to Mothers: €3,062.34 was distributed to participants based on their work.
Environmental Impact: 264 kg of textile waste was repurposed.
Partnerships
The project relies on several key partners, including the Santarém City Council (space provision), textile companies like Mundo Têxtil (waste donation), and commercial partners such as McDonald's Santarém and Herdade da Malhadinha Nova for product orders.
The report concludes that the project’s success is directly linked to continuous technical monitoring and presents a clear opportunity for further sustainable growth and social impact.
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