Rocinha Organic Garden Youth Project Begins Second Year

By Chesney Hearst, Senior Contributing Reporter

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Saci Educational Organic Kitchen, a project that aims to help pre-school aged children in the Rocinha community in Rio de Janeiro understand the importance of nutrition and gardening, will begin its second year on Monday, April 6th. For the first time, the program is organizing a group of volunteers interested in helping with the project.

The classes will take place on Mondays in the rooftop space of the Saci Sabe Tudo creche in Rocinha. During each session, the children will learn about fruits, vegetables, planting and natural food choices and diet alternatives.

The lesson plans for each week of this year were created in advance in both English and Portuguese by the founder and creator of the Saci Educational Organic Kitchen Garden project, Australian Botanist and expat in Rio Alice O’Connor. The first class on Monday, April 6th will be “Introducing the Garden and Planting a Vegetable Seedling or Seed.”

The classes take place in support of the Rio de Janeiro NGO (non-profit organization), Il Sorriso dei miei Bimbi Onlus. Founded by Italian expatriate Barbara Olivi in 2002, the organization focuses on bettering education in the community of Rocinha, one of Rio’s largest favelas.

Saci Educational Organic Kitchen classes will be offered to children 3-6 years old with approximately twelve to twenty children in each class. The classes will take place every Monday until the Saci Sabe Tudo school year is complete. There will be two sessions each Monday. The first will take place from 10:30am to 12:30PM and the second from 1:30PM to 3:30PM. There will be a lunch break in between the sessions.

Those interested in volunteering can sign up for the morning, afternoon, or both sessions on any Monday during the school year. There is no cost to volunteer and all lesson materials and supplies are provided. To volunteer and/or for more information, contact Anna Whyte at (21) 99588-4587. Additionally, for more information about Il Sorriso dei miei Bimbi Onlus, see their Facebook page.