Associação Comunitaria Monte Azul

Associação Comunitaria Monte Azul serves children and families in what was once a terribly poor favela, but which has become, with AC Monte Azul’s help, a “middle class favela.” The program provides community activities, after school programs, day care for young children, and organization to lobby city government.

AC Monte Azul began with a professor at the local Waldorf School who wanted to use Rudolf Steiner’s teaching techniques with the very poor. With many volunteers and donations from European governments, the program has now expanded into a huge and effective social service agency serving some 2000 children and 800 families. The program still uses Steiner’s anthroposofical model, with great effect.

The day care program is innovative and excellent. Local teenagers and young women are trained to be early childhood educators, then form the staff of five different creches. In addition to an income and self respect, this work trains the young women to be better mothers.

AC Monte Azul also runs a natural childbirth center (now not in service because the midwife retired).

The administrative structure of AC Monte Azul is excellent, very horizontal, yet efficient. Leaders from all units meet regularly to plan programming and the general vision of the institution.

Av Thomás de Souza 522
05836 350 São Paulo, SP

tel: 11 5851 5370/ fax 11 5851 1089

contact: Renate Keller <Renate@monteazul.org.br>

www.monteazul.org.br