After 1 year and 4 months without sports classes, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ONG returns to the city to promote social inclusion with the support of Elera, the Federal Sports Incentive Law and municipal government.    

Transforming the reality of children and adolescents, by Raul Soares, through sport is one of the current goals of the ONG Ajudôu. With the social project Ajudôu nas Escolas scheduled to start activities in September, 100 children from Raul-Soar are now having free volleyball classes (50 places) and handball (50 places) after school hours. 

Ajudôu is a Non-Governmental Organization, recognized for its public utility at the municipal and state levels. It was founded in 1995, in Timóteo-MG, and has already served more than 30 thousand children and adolescents with free judo and other sports classes. Currently, Ajudôu is arriving in more than 40 cities in 4 Brazilian states.  

“We are very happy and honored to return to the municipality of Raul Soares. Our mission is to promote the inclusion of young people through sport and to reach another city in Minas Gerais that embraces social projects, like Raul Soares, is to have confirmation that our work is reaching and changing the lives of many people. ”, reports the Founder and Executive Director of Ajudôu, Júlio César Lana Jaques. 

Ajudôu nas Escolas will bring a series of benefits to the municipality that go beyond sports classes. In addition to goals and tackles, students strengthen their sense of community, increase their social circle and learn about volunteering. Therefore, the development of social sports projects across the country are of paramount importance, because when young people have contact with the concepts and virtues of Ajudôu, they have the possibility to form their character and have a different future, contrary to what they would have if you were on the streets. 

Enrollments open for classes at Ajudôu in Schools 

The Ajudôu nas Escolas Project is sponsored by Elera, encouraged by the Federal Sports Incentive Law and supported by the Municipality of Raul Soares.  Registration is open for 100 children and adolescents (male and female), between 7 and 17 years old, to practice volleyball and handball lessons for 1 year

“Sport is one of the main tools for the social inclusion of young people and, here in the city, social sports projects are very well liked by the population. In classes, in addition to learning volleyball and handball techniques and practices, recreational activities will also be applied that, in addition to motor development, aim to have fun for the kids!”, says volleyball and handball teacher, Daniel Honorato.

Class locations

Classes will take place at Gymnasium Poliesportivo Leopoldo Bessone (Avenue Prof.ª Elza Almeida Bacelar, nº 389 – Neighborhood Santana, Raul Soares), will begin in September and will be held twice a week, always in the 1h duration. 

Full uniforms for the rolling ball

The student’s self-esteem is developed during all stages of the project. An example is the uniform kit that each one will receive, containing: uniform (shirt and shorts), sneakers and socks, considering that these make a difference and provide a better experience in sports. 

“Our main objective is to assist children and adolescents in social vulnerability. And as we all know, many of them do not have any opportunity to practice oriented sports, let alone adequate sports equipment. Therefore, it is extremely important to deliver these uniform kits to them, because in addition to giving them a better condition for taking the class, we arouse great motivation in all students. And motivation is a key feature to keep our students frequent in classes, so we can achieve all our goals.”, says the coordinator of the Ajudôu nas Escolas Project, Leonardo Costa.

Protocol for Resumption of Sports Activities at Ajudôu

To carry out the assistance, without putting children and teachers at risk, theProtocol for Resumption of Sports Activities at Ajudôu in the context of Covid-19.  

The Ajudôu manual aims to pass general health safety rules against Covid-19 according to the reality of each location, that is, sport classes will be adapted according to the Ajudôu guidelines, which can be revised. Below are some examples of guidelines:: 

• Minimum distance required during classes (1 student every 2 m²);
• All students must start and finish activities in the same amount of time and leave in an orderly manner, without contact and crowding.; 
• End of classes 10 minutes before to avoid crowding with the class of the next class;