A new way of living and viewing life
A partnership between the Odebrecht Foundation, the Banco do Brasil Foundation and the City of Recife changes the lives of 192 families in northeastern Brazil Irene Silva: “Now I have my own home”
written by ◦ Flávia Azevedo photos by ◦ Almir Bindilatti

March 30th was a day of rejoicing for hundreds of people who used to live in palafittes, or shacks built on stilts, in the riverside community called Vila Vintém II. A typically sunny day in northeastern Brazil was the backdrop for an event they had waited for all their lives. In the morning, political leaders, entrepreneurs and journalists began to gather for the opening of the Casarão do Cordeiro Housing Complex. On the stage set up for the occasion on the complex’s grounds, a number of speakers stirred an audience that had every reason to celebrate. After all, instead of just hearing promises they were seeing a promise being paid in full. That day marked the beginning of a new life for 192 families in Recife, the state capital of Pernambuco. The official delivery of the keys to 192 homes was an important step towards eradicating the scene of urban squalor that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva saw first-hand in 2003. Moved by the hardships of people living in ramshackle palafittes, the President called on the business community to join forces with the government to ensure that more and more Brazilians have the right to decent housing. His call was answered. A partnership between the Odebrecht Foundation and the Banco do Brasil Foundation provided the necessary aid for the city to carry out another step in its Recife without Palafittes program.

As a result, the former residents of Vila Vintém II are looking forward to a better future. After 10 years of living in squalid, crowded conditions on the banks of the Capibaribe River, at the mercy of floods and waterborne diseases, these 192 families started moving to their new addresses in February of this year. They are now living in 36-square-meter homes with two bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and bathroom. The complex includes six four-story apartment buildings, each with a courtyard for socializing. Their former shacks have been torn down.

This change came about because of a joint effort. To build the Casarão do Cordeiro Housing Complex, the Odebrecht Foundation provided 50% of the funding. The other half came from the Banco do Brasil Foundation. The City of Recife furnished the land and was responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure. The Diagonal Company was tasked with carrying out a socioeconomic diagnosis of the situation and relocating the families.

Thanks to modern construction technologies, the Casarão do Cordeiro Housing Complex was erected in 120 days. It is built on prestressed box piles due to the poor quality of the soil. Led by Managing Director João Pacífico, the Odebrecht team formed by Contract Director Carlos Angeiras, Augêncio Leite, the officer responsible for Production; and Érico Dantas, responsible for Engineering, are proudly celebrating their role in making this project happen. “I think that other companies should follow these institutions’ example. The public, the city and the country all stand to gain from this. Everybody benefits,” says Carlos Angeiras.

Also present at the opening ceremony, Banco do Brasil Foundation Chairman Jacques Pena was clearly pleased: “This project makes us all proud. We rallied to President Lula’s challenge. Everyone knows that he is concerned about the palafitte communities.” Odebrecht Foundation Executive Director Maurício Medeiros felt the same, adding: “It is our responsibility to take part in projects of this kind. Restoring people’s civil rights is key to ensuring the education of future generations, and that is our mission. The Odebrecht Foundation’s mission is preparing adolescents for life.”

Clearing up a riverside shantytown

Maurício Medeiros succinctly and clearly stated the reason for the Odebrecht Foundation’s involvement in the construction of the Casarão do Cordeiro Housing Complex. Reuniting families is one of the most important steps in ensuring that young people get a sound upbringing and a good education. The Foundation, a non-profit institution maintained by the Odebrecht Group, undertook that commitment in 1988. Since it was created in 1965, the Odebrecht Foundation has focused its work on northeastern Brazil, where it supports and carries out programs focused on youth. The Foundation is committed to educating people who have what it takes to build a new and healthy generation, and helps give them the structure they need to build a productive future. These are people who can take personal responsibility for their ongoing self-development and will contribute to the sustainable development of their communities.