Social Project sponsored by Gerdau, will benefit young people from Divinópolis, Conselheiro Lafaiete, Curvelo, Sete Lagoas, Ouro Branco and Congonhas for 12 months.

The ONG Ajudôu is based on the ideals of sport and has been promoting social sports projects in various modalities since 1995 in more than 30 cities in Brazil, with a view to transforming lives. The Caminho Suave Project, carried out in Divinópolis, Conselheiro Lafaiete, Curvelo, Sete Lagoas, Ouro Branco and Congonhas, Minas Gerais, offers 600 places for judo classes for children and adolescents from 7 to 17 years old, during a period of 12 months. Classes are scheduled to start in November.

Judo, in free translation, means “smooth way”, and this is the philosophy that guides this martial art. Much more than strikes and attacking movements, judo involves defense, discipline and respect for others. The rules of this practice are consistent with the guidelines of the ONG Ajudôu: to educate through sport and to transform lives.

“What happens is that outside the school environment, there are not many possibilities to practice sports and when there is, it is not financially accessible for most of the population. Thus, many children and adolescents have nothing to do in the after-school shift and often end up having contact, unfortunately, with the world of crime, illicit drugs, among others. The purpose of Ajudôu is to give this public the opportunity to have free access to quality sport with all the necessary infrastructure for its practice. Thus, for 26 years we have already served more than 30 thousand students in various sports, offering a healthy and educational environment for its practitioners, strengthening citizenship and values such as: respect, discipline, patience and solidarity.”, reports the President and Technical Director of Ajudôu, Márcio Andrade.

In addition to sports classes, the Caminho Suave Project will bring a series of benefits to the municipalities, such as: strengthening the sense of community among students, increasing the social circle and learning 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.

Registrations open for the Suave Way classes

The Caminho Suave Project is sponsored by Gerdau, through the Federal Sports Incentive Law and supported by the municipalities of Divinópolis, Conselheiro Lafaiete, Curvelo, Sete Lagoas, Ouro Branco and Congonhas. Registration is open for 600 children and adolescents (male and female), between 7 and 17 years old, to practice judo classes for 1 year.

Registration and class locations

Classes will start in November and will be held twice a week, always in the students’ school shift, lasting 1 hour. Check out the locations in each city:

• Divinópolis: Lauro Epifânio State School;
• Counselor Lafaiete: Romeu Guimarães Municipal School (morning) and José Castelões de Menezes Municipal School (afternoon);
• Curvelo: Amália Municipal School;
• Seven Lagoons: Vinícius Dias Avelar Gym;
• White Gold: Raimundo Batista Multisport Gym;
• Congonhas: Delci Dias dos Santos Sports Gymnasium (morning) and Amynthas Jacques de Moraes Municipal School (afternoon).

Full uniforms for fighting

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 a brand new shirt, kimono and belt. The delivery of materials ensures that all Caminho Suave students attend classes with equality, regardless of the families’ financial conditions.

Protocol for Resumption of Sports Activities at Ajudôu

To carry out the assistance, without putting children and teachers at risk, the Protocol 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 example guidelines:

• Minimum distance required during classes (1 student every 2 m²);
• All students must start and finish activities at the same 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;

About Ajudôu

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 expanding its work to more than 30 cities in 4 different states.