The world is becoming increasingly more technological, our daily lives have been invaded by automated activities. As a result, we often say that life has become easier and simpler, but the question that needs to be asked is, "Who has access to this innovative world of technology?"
The city of Recife is home to the largest technology park in Latin America, with more than 460 companies. However, this same city ranks 2nd among the most unequal capitals in Brazil according to research completed in Brazil by the Institute of Sustainable Cities. Meanwhile, Tamandaré ranks 136th out of 185 cities in the state in terms of the children and young people’s level of education (IBGE 2024, Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics). Technological education, or even access to this innovative world of the future, is not available to young people in vulnerable social situations.
Mateus Antônio, 25, the coordinator of the Information Technology course at the Tamandaré Project, experienced this first-hand. He recalls: "In 2017, I scored enough to take courses at the Federal Institute of Pernambuco (IFPE). My dream was to study medicine, but I fell 30 points short. So, I had to choose another course, and at IFPE, there were many technology courses, so I decided to pursue a bachelor's degree in Information Systems—it was what they had."
Learning about the world of web programming transformed Mateus' life, and in 2022, when the opportunity arose to write a project with the team from the Padre Arlindo Association, the chosen theme was Information Technology. Mateus wanted to give the teenagers of Tamandaré the same opportunity he had experienced and learned from. The project was approved and has already taught basic computer skills to around 40 teenagers.
Among them is Camila Gabriele, 18, who heard about the course through her mother: "I attended the nursery at the Association from the ages of 11 to 15. One day, my mum told me they were going to start a computer course, and she really insisted that I went."
Her mother's persistence paid off, and Camila says: "I thought about giving up many times. There were about three classes where I was already on my way, thinking, ‘when I get there, I’ll tell the teacher this is my last day.’ It was all very difficult, complicated topics, and I had to cycle for 20 minutes from my house to the project—it was exhausting."
Camila never gave up, and today she has a new perspective on her future: "Today I think completely differently. I want to finish high school and study Marketing at university. I also want to try taking courses at Porto Digital. When my class visited, one of the managers presented a scholarship programme. Who knows, one day I might work there."
Camila’s story brings a big smile to the face of coordinator Mateus, who says: "Our idea of visiting Porto Digital in Recife was to provide this on-the-ground experience. We were really persistent with Camila because we saw her potential."
In the world of technology, everything becomes codes. It can be said that the Tamandaré Project, with the support of Happy Child, found the code for success by giving teenagers the opportunity to discover this new world.
Written by Eduarda Teixeira
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