By Maria Belen Actis | Project Leader
On December 2nd, 2025, Caminhos Profissionais – MVP proudly celebrated the graduation of two groups of children and adolescents from Sinimbu city and Vera Cruz city, in a moving ceremony held at "Clube União Corinthians", in Santa Cruz do Sul (RS), Brazil.
The event brought together students, families, educators, local authorities and partners to mark the conclusion of an annual journey that combined sports, education and socio-emotional development. Created as a response to the devastating floods that affected the Vale do Rio Pardo region, the project aimed to support young people in rebuilding emotional security, self-esteem and a sense of belonging.
Throughout the year, participants engaged in formative experiences, group dynamics and basketball-based activities designed to foster cooperation, communication, confidence and emotional resilience. During the ceremony, students received certificates, were honored by the Foco Empreendedor team and shared meaningful moments lived both on and off the court.
Two Groups, One Shared Purpose: Rebuilding After the Floods
Sinimbu Group
In Sinimbu, the project served 22 children aged 8 to 12, from EMEF Nossa Senhora da Glória, between December 2024 and December 2025. Activities took place during after-school hours, both at the school gymnasium and at the professional court of Clube União Corinthians.
This group was implemented as part of a post-flood socio-emotional recovery strategy and was made possible through the leadership of Foco Empreendedor, with support from the Municipality of Sinimbu and funding from Corning Incorporated and GlobalGiving.
Vera Cruz Group
In Vera Cruz, the MVP project reached 17 adolescents from three public schools (EEEEM Vera Cruz, EMEF João Carlos Rech and EMEF Elemar Kroth), between August and December 2025. This group was fully funded through resources raised by Foco Empreendedor via GlobalGiving, responding to the emotional impacts of the June 2025 floods.
Weekly activities integrated sports, creativity, identity, self-awareness and entrepreneurial culture, offering young people a safe and structured space for expression, connection and growth.
Voices of Leadership and Hope
During the ceremony, Foco Empreendedor’s President, Áurea Helena Kops Binz, highlighted the broader meaning of the project for flood-affected communities:
“After the floods, everyone was called to reinvent themselves — especially children and adolescents. MVP arrived in these communities to welcome, guide and offer tools so they can rebuild their paths with more security, self-esteem and hope. Seeing these groups complete this cycle shows that, despite losses, we continue to find strength to move forward. Each young person here represents the power of new beginnings.”
About Caminhos Profissionais – MVP
Created in 2024 by Foco Empreendedor, Caminhos Profissionais – MVP is an evolution of the Caminhos Profissionais Social program. It uses basketball as a social technology to develop essential life and career skills, including communication, teamwork, decision-making, creativity, leadership, adaptability and community belonging.
The methodology combines sports practice, guided conversations, practical challenges, socio-emotional activities and cultural experiences, creating a holistic learning environment.
Impact to date:
Over 380 children and adolescents directly impacted
8 schools across 3 municipalities
More than 1,500 people indirectly reached, including families, teachers and school communities
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
