Corporate Social Responsability
ODEBRECHT FOUNDATION
Created in 1965, the Odebrecht Foundation's mission is helping prepare people for life by offering education through work and instilling core values with a view to grooming responsible, aware, productive, compassionate and involved citizens. Since 2003 it has concentrated its activities on the Program for the Integrated and Sustainable Regional Development of the Southern Bahia Lowlands (DIS Southern Lowlands). The aim is to eradicate poverty and reduce social inequalities in the 11 municipalities that make up that micro-region, which is one of the neediest parts of the State of Bahia and home to 260,000 people. This model program is now being replicated in Angola and Ecuador.
HIGHLIGHTS IN 2006
Human Capital
Last year, 165 young people had the opportunity to learn modern farming and aquafarming methods. This project, which focuses on small farm family units, is being carried out at the Rural, Sea and Agroforestry Family Houses. At the same time, 565 pupils from 421 families received a formal education at Youth House I (primary school) and Youth House II (secondary school).
Productive Capital
2,353 small producers have joined cooperatives organized to develop chains of production for manioc, hearts-of-palm, aquafarming and piassava. The highlights in this area were the beginning of piassava-straw handicraft production and the export of the first batch of hearts-of-palm to Europe under the Fair Trade system.
Social Capital
Through the Rights and Citizenship Institute, local residents can obtain their basic civil documents and take steps toward resolving legal and social issues. The institute has provided a total of 159,000 services.
Environmental Capital
Focused on preserving natural resources in the Atlantic Forest, the Plan for the Integrated and Sustainable Development of the Pratigi Environmental Protection Area was selected from among dozens of projects for IADB (Inter-American Development Bank) approval. It combines the creation of jobs and income sources with the planned and orderly occupation of the land in that part of the northeast-Brazilian state of Bahia.
Luzimar, Luzinete and Maria Madalena,
in Nilo Peçanha, Bahia
Three women
who share a dream
Maria Madalena, Luzimar and Luzinete. In addition to being related, these women have something else in common: the dream of developing their community. To make it come true, they joined the Piassava Production Chain, one of the projects being implemented through DIS Southern Lowlands Program.
Maria, 66, is an active member of her community. From the very beginning, she believed in the potential of the projects being introduced in Nilo Peçanha, the small Brazilian town in the Southern Bahia Lowlands where she was born and raised. Today, she is the president of the Agroforestry Family House, which benefits 60 youths, including her granddaughter Luzinete, 22.
Luzinete learned how to make piassava fiber handicrafts from her mother, Luzimar, 40. They make handbags, bio-jewelry, place mats and coasters. "We took a training course. Before that, our work was harder. Now we make handicrafts. It's more fun and the money is better," says Luzimar. The most significant difference is the autonomy and recognition these women have achieved from their families and community.
© Copright Odebrecht S.A.