The construction of the Centro Educativo João Paulo II began in 1998 and was completed in 1999. The initiative was promoted by the Umano Progresso Foundation (Milan, Italy), which was already supporting the community through two pediatric clinics for children aged 0 to 5, located within the “João Paulo II” Nursery School and the “Primeiro de Maio” Community Nursery School. Thanks to collaboration with the NGO AVSI (Italy), which worked locally through an urban development project, the construction was rapid and successful.
The original goal of the Centro Educativo João Paulo II has been maintained over time. Since its foundation, it has served children and adolescents attending elementary and middle school, offering after-school classes in the morning or afternoon
Testimony from Gilmario (former student)
“When they started building the Educational Center, I would shout at the workers as if I were the foreman: ‘Come on, we need to finish today because I want to study there!’ I kept counting the days because I knew the Center would have space for everyone. I had classmates who always came to school with their homework ready, done during the after-school program and I wished I could go too, but there was no room at the time, as after-school sessions were held in a small room at the João Paulo II Daycare. When the Educational Center was finally ready, I made it in! It became my ‘charger.’ I would wake up at 2 AM to go to work at the market, get ready for school at 6:30 AM, but I was too sleepy to stay awake in class. In the afternoon, I would go to the Educational Center, where I found the energy to do everything: play ball, play the drum and repique and practice capoeira. It was my charger that kept me going until the evening, allowing me to endure such a heavy routine. The Center gave me many great people and opened up a new horizon for me. The greatest treasure I gained were the friends I found in this place. They loved me a lot. I discovered that I had value and this taught me to see people and understand that they, too, have value, regardless of what they do in life.”
At that time, this region on the outskirts of Salvador was known as Novos Alagados because along the coast, poor migrants from the countryside, seeking better living conditions, had built stilt houses out of wood and other scrap materials, occupying the shoreline.
These stilt houses were removed between 2002 and 2006 through a joint effort of various Bahian and international organizations. The displaced families were provided with homes in an area near the Centro Educativo João Paulo II, making them its primary audience.
The Centro Educativo João Paulo II was inaugurated in 2000 and in its early years, it played a crucial role in preserving popular culture.
The Center helped revive traditions that were part of village life in the countryside but had been lost in the urban setting.
Over time, celebrations such as Easter, São João, capoeira, maculelê, mariscada and the revival of Folia de Reis fostered a sense of community tradition that remains strong today.
Between 2010 and 2014, various initiatives aimed at preserving local traditions took place, including visits from notable figures such as Bahian samba artist Riachão and the establishment of a library.
These activities broadened the cultural horizons of children and adolescents who had previously been excluded from cultural experiences, making them active participants in positive and enriching experiences.
In 2014, the Center took another step forward by incorporating sports activities into its after-school program.
Sports emerged as an educational tool to counteract the increasing neighborhood violence and the early exposure of young people to criminal activity.
Sports provided an engaging, positive alternative that resonated deeply with children and teenagers.
The project, later named “Nova Geração” by the students, quickly gained popularity.
The orange uniform of “Nova Geração” became a neighborhood symbol and everyone wanted to be part of it.
In 2016, a significant milestone was reached: a private Italian Foundation donated funds to build a covered sports court. This improvement transformed the Centro Educativo João Paulo II into a regional reference point for sports, education and community support.
Since 2016, the Nova Geração project has offered futsal, basketball, handball, karate and dance classes in the after-school hours and on Saturdays. For families, the support provided—ranging from protection, nutrition and learning to sports, cultural activities and academic assistance—is essential, as it allows parents, guardians and caregivers to pursue their work and ensure their household’s livelihood.
At the end of 2019, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Centro Educativo João Paulo II, with the presence of our main sponsors, supporters and community families. This beautiful celebration seemed to foreshadow that something significant was about to happen…
With the onset of the pandemic in 2020, Centro Educativo João Paulo II remained present in the community by distributing food baskets and providing at-home school activities. Later, as free courses resumed, in-person activities were reinstated while strictly following COVID-19 safety protocols.
During the pandemic, a new inequality emerged: access to technology. In response, a project was designed to bridge the technological knowledge gap caused by social isolation. In 2022, the Robotics Project was implemented, making it available to students of all ages. Also in 2022, vocational training courses for high school students began, including mobile app programming and aesthetics courses. Robotics quickly became the children’s and teenagers’ favorite activity, later integrating programming in 2024.
With joy and passion for learning, we continue our journey!
“Do not let yourselves be carried away by life, but take it into your own hands and decide to make it a true and personal masterpiece!”.
Pope John Paul II to the Youth, 1985.
