BRAZIL
Youth Development &
English Language Scholarship
- Don Polk
In 2023-24, the Rotary Clubs of Kingston-Frontenac (Canada) and Cordeirópolis (Brazil) began a collaborative partnership to co-develop a project to upgrade the profile of economically-challenged youth in Cordeirópolis (in the state of São Paulo, in Brazil) to increase their chance of becoming employable in higher-potential and better compensated positions in the labour market and help them to achieve a higher standard living.
By working together with other key partners in the community, including Patrulho Mirim (youth identification & selection), Excellent Global Idiomas (language academy), and local industrial partners led by Cezan Embalagens Ltda (Jordana Ceruti Peruchi), a group of 10 high-school age students were selected to receive a scholarship to study English at Excellent Global Idiomas in weekly group lessons for 8 months (April-Dec 2024), be placed with a business for a paid internship where they have exposure to develop their English-language skills and be coached on developing their interpersonal skills with Rotary mentors.
Following a review of student performance completed in December 2024, the Rotary Club of Cordeirópolis recommended extending the term of the language scholarship for the original group of students through December 2025. Of the original group of 10 students, 7 have elected to continue their studies in 2025. In addition, a second wave of 10 students was to enter the program in mid-2025.
Program costs are shared equally, with the Kingston-Frontenac Club committed to providing 50% of the funding, approximately $2,000 in 2025-26. In addition, the project is co-sponsored in Canada by the Rotary Club of Kingston, whose International Service Committee contributed $1,000 in each of the past 2 years and has committed the same for 2025-26.
Project Summary Report:
Rotary Cordeirópolis & Kingston-Frontenac Partnership - 2024-25
1. Introduction
This report summarizes the activities and results of the social partnership project between the Rotary Club of Cordeirópolis and the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac, with the aim of supporting the teaching of English through Escola de Idiomas Excelente Global, for the apprentices of the Mirim Patrol of Cordeirópolis. The project focused mainly on the training of young people and cultural exchange, with a significant contribution from partner clubs.
Students & Rotarians - First Class
2. Project Objectives
Teaching English Language: Offer English courses to the young people of the Patrulha Mirim de Cordeirópolis, preparing them for the academic and professional future.
Fostering Cultural Develpment & Exchange: Establishing a connection between the young people of Cordeirópolis and the members of the Rotary Club of Kingston-Frontenac, creating a network of support and cultural understanding.
Cultural Exchange - August 2024
Strengthen Social Responsibility: Involve Rotary club communities in educational projects, promoting local and regional development.
3. Kingston-Frontanec Rotary Club Contribution
Kingston-Frontenac: The financial contribution of the Kingston-Frontenac Rotary Club was fundamental to the implementation of the English program, this resource for the realization of the classes.
Kingston: The Kingston Rotary Club also contributed financially, directly supporting the cost of scholarships for the youth of the Mirim Patrol, in addition to facilitating the participation of local Rotarians as volunteers in education and cultural activities.
Kingston-Frontenac / Cordeiropolis
Rotary Club Meeting
4. Description of the Actions Performed
English Language Courses: With the support of Kingston clubs, English classes were taught for seven months, benefiting 10 students of the Mirim Patrol. The classes focused on conversation, vocabulary and understanding, with complementary cultural activities.
Cultural Activities: Interactive activities were held, such as lectures, videoconferences and cultural events, allowing direct exchange between Cordeirópolis students and members of Kingston Rotary Clubs.
Inter generational Meeting
Cordeiropolis Rotarians & Students
5. Results Achieved
Participation: 09 students of the Mirim Patrol successfully completed the English course, demonstrating a significant improvement in conversation and understanding of the language.
Cultural Exchange: A network of lasting collaboration was established between the young people of Cordeirópolis and the Rotarians of the Kingston clubs, with cultural and educational exchanges carried out throughout the year.
Social Impact: The project enabled the educational and professional inclusion of young people, with 07 students interested in continuing their studies, expressing a greater interest in international careers and internship opportunities. Considering that these adolescents have never had this experience, our evaluation is the continuity of the project, because we observe a greater sociability, helping them to overcome shyness, and contribute to the improvement of education.
Throughout the execution of the Project, we assess that some points need to be improved: the issue of student attendance control needs improvement and more effective communication between the Language School and the Mirim Patrol.
Bring families closer to monitoring students' performance.
Meeting with Parents
The students selected by the partner entity, experience a situation of social vulnerability, and have never had contact with the English language, and this opportunity made it possible to expand the cultural universe and focus on employability.
Another aspect to be explored is the insertion of students in workspaces where they can exercise learning.
6. Thanks
We would like to thank the Kingston-Frontenac Rotary Club immensely for the generous financial support and dedication of all the Rotarians involved. This contribution was essential to the success of this project, which continues to positively impact the lives of the young people of Cordeirópolis.
7. Next Steps
Continuing the success of the project, we suggest expanding the program to include more young people and new cultural exchange activities, also focusing on professional development and insertion in the labor market.