Solar Meninos de Luz

Continuing the tribute that Solar will do to their dear and indispensable volunteers, in June, our honored friend is Sideise Eloi. She acts as a psychologist with our students and teachers.

Sideise agreed to answer some questions:

Full name?

My name is Sideise Berndes Eloi.

How did you get to know Solar?

I met Solar through my building neighbors, which I used to meet on Saturdays with the Solar shirt. After that, I went to one of the bazaars. I searched for information with my neighbor Nilce about the work that was being developed at Solar and my willingness to take part in this work was immediate. Commenting with friends, I discovered that one of my friends had been a yoga teacher at Solar, so I talked to her too. Then I got in touch, I did the guided tour and a meeting with the psychology coordinator, and finally I started working at Solar.

How long have you volunteered at Solar?

I have been a volunteer for 3 years.

In what areas do you work?

I am a psychologist and I work with groups. I offer a space of psychological support for teachers and students, which works on behavioral, emotional and social issues that interfere in education, using a collaborative learning methodology and adding listening and dynamics for development to happen in an integral way.

I believe in education and employability as ways to make a fairer and more equitable country. Having a psychological support, aligned with knowledge exchange, promotes the perception that you are not alone, fosters a culture of peace and cooperation, transforming your experiences as a springboard for your academic development and, consequently, a better professional and living condition.

How do you feel about working at Solar?

I feel a professional fulfillment, because my purpose of life and existence is to contribute to a more just and equal world for all.

What do you think about Solar’s work?

Solar’s work is very important, because it acts in the gap left by the government, that is, it offers Integral Education for the students, besides other nuclei, that together can help the community as a whole. In addition, it offers a framework for professionals like me to develop works that add to the set of actions already developed. It is where the public power less acts and we, organized civil society, are joining forces.

Do you think Solar influences people’s lives? In what way?

Yes, I think Solar not only influences people’s lives, but lives of a community, whether it is offering Integral Education from Nursery to High School, or through the Solar Wellness Center and even with spiritual support.

What is Solar characteristic that you most appreciate? 

Full education from Nursery to High School, because it adds enormous value to families and children and young people. We know that most parents have a workload of at least 8 hours of work and no financial availability for extra activities. For children, it makes possible the contact for integral development, understanding that the intelligences are multiple and having contact with various activities where they can discover their talents, what they like and do well.

Is there a nice story between you and the students?

I was contacted by the school board to work with a group of 9 students who were behaving inappropriately at school. On the first day of the group, it was very difficult to work because they were very agitated, aggressive and there was no listening. Keept thinking about how to work with them. The first groups were difficult, but gradually, understanding the group’s communication form, I introduced some activities. First we worked on the agreements for group fluency, we relaxed at the beginning of each meeting to facilitate attention and focus. Then, as the encounters were going on, we worked so we could identify emotions, cooperation between the group and a peace culture, and with that we worked on mutual trust. The young people began to identify the behaviors that were bringing disorder to school, assumed their responsibilities and repented. It was a work that lasted about a year, with one-hour weekly meetings, and involved teachers, direction, families and psychologists. I learned a lot and it was a great pleasure to be able to do this work.

Sideise, Solar Meninos de Luz thank you immensely for your time and love dedicated to our students and educators!