Solar Meninos de Luz

Continuing the tribute that Solar will do to their dear and indispensable volunteers, in July, our honored friend is  Rubens de Almeida. He works on the restructuring of Paulo Coelho Community Library. O Rubens  agreed to answer some questions:

Full name?
My name is Rubens de Almeida.

How did you get to know Solar?
I met through a friend who invited me to attend her lecture at Lar Paulo de Tarso. At the end of the section, I was introduced to some leaders of the House who told me about Solar’s activities. I was interested to meet and was kindly invited to the Saturday morning activities. On the first Saturday, I was already at Solar knowing the volunteers, space and activities of the day. I joined the group that went up to “Caranguejo” for evangelization and, at the end of the activity, enchanted with everything I had seen and felt that morning, I placed myself at the disposal of Solar Meninos de Luz.

How long have you volunteered at Solar?
I worked as a volunteer at Solar for approximately four years.

In what areas do you work?
I worked for some time with the evangelization group on Saturdays, later I worked as a History assistant professor and, at the moment, I am helping in the restructuring work of Paulo Coelho Community Library.

How do you feel about working at Solar?
The biggest feeling I have about working on Solar is gratitude. It is very gratifying to have the opportunity to participate in such a comprehensive and humanitarian project.

What do you think about Solar’s work?
The work carried out by Solar is exceptional. Keeping children inside school full time, with high-level teachers and staff, various extracurricular activities, medical and psychological care should be a routine in the state education system.

Do you think Solar influences people’s lives? In what way?
Solar’s influence on people’s lives is huge, starting with mine. For a long time I have an idea of ​​education, very influenced by Professor Darcy Ribeiro, whom I had the happiness to find here renewing my faith, that we can only change the world through education. Solar educates a citizen who will contribute to society and does not simply pass on knowledge to the student who will be running contests or ENEM. This makes all the difference in the future of these young people and their families. Another interesting point, among others, is that Solar keep an Art Gallery in full swing. I wonder how it raises the residents’ self-esteem, regardless of their connection to school, to have such an important cultural activity at their fingertips.

What is Solar characteristic that you most appreciate? 
The humane way in which Solar acts in relation to the students, their families and the whole community.

Is there a nice story between you and the students?
Last year, during the two-month project, one of the tutors asked me to help some students with their research. One of these students wanted to do a project about Chico Rei history, one of the icons of black history in Brazil. As it is a subject with little theoretical referential, I tried to guide him using orality and exposing the importance of this character in the process of liberation in his time, as well as his influence in the black culture these days. To my surprise and happiness, he presented his project orally to his teachers and colleagues at the Theater, in addition to bringing a reference person to talk about blackness. It was a very inspiring moment.

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