Social Project sponsored by Unilever, will benefit young people aged 7 to 17 for 12 months.

Registrations are open for the Ajudôu Project, which will assist 240 children and adolescents (male and female), between 7 and 17 years old, with kimono and free judo classes, for 1 year, in Pouso Alegre. Carried out by the ONG Ajudôu, the initiative is sponsored by Unilever, through the Minas Gerais State Sports Incentive Law and support from the City Hall.

“The Ajudôu Ano IV project is a successful partnership between the public and private authorities, providing opportunities for the children of Pouso Alegre”, says the Superintendent of Sports of Pouso Alegre, Rooney Ferreira e Souza.

The ONG Ajudôu is based on the ideals of sport and has been promoting social sports projects of various modalities since 1995 in several cities in Brazil, aiming at transforming the lives of children and adolescents.

Judo is not by chance, according to a study by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), this martial art is one of the most educational modalities in the world, because, in addition to all the motor development that the practice provides, enables a healthy relationship with other people, using the game and the fight as a dynamic integrator.

“The benefits of judo are numerous, because it promotes values of friendship, participation, mutual respect and the effort to improve. We can see the great acceptance of families when they have the opportunity to put their sons and daughters in judo classes, because the lessons learned reflect in their daily lives in a positive way”, says the Founder and Executive Director do Ajudôu, Júlio César Lana Jaques, who has also been a judo black belt since 1991.

Projeto Ajudôu will bring a series of benefits to the municipality that go beyond sports classes, 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 is 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.

Class locations and training days.

Classes will start on October 14 and will be held twice a week, always in the students’ school shift, lasting 1 hour. Check the locations of each modality:

• Filippo Smaldone Institute;
• citizenship station.

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 Ajudôu Year IV 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 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;