The Pró-Criança Centre, or the Pro-Child Centre, has been dedicated to taking care of vulnerable children in the region of Niterói, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for almost 40 years.
The community here aim to promote positive change in the lives of children from 6 to 14 years of age, caring for the spiritual, physical, emotional, and intellectual wellbeing of 60 local youths through a range of programmes and activities.
In 2024, our Summer Appeal raised funds to help the team at the centre to undertake essential refurbishment, and this year, we are joining forces once again to help the community there to equip their newly renovated space.
Fr Humberto Henriques MSC sends us videos from some of the families and staff at the centre, who tell us for themselves just how important this community is, and how powerful the work they do.
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Maria Eliana
“Hi, my name is Maria Eliana, I’m 10 years old, and I like coming here to Pró-Criança because I think it’s fun, I make a right mess… and Auntie Cláudia’s food is really tasty too. And my mum, when she’s at work, worries, but here I am safe.”
~ Maria Eliana, a child supported by Pró-Criança
Cláudia
“Hello, good afternoon, how are you? My name is Cláudia. I’ve been here at Pró Criança for about seven years now, haven’t I? And it’s really rewarding working here with the children. Why? Because they come in here not wanting to eat, do they? They don’t eat properly, they don’t know what vegetables taste like, they don’t know what anything tastes like. And so they learn to eat. We teach them with love and care, and that’s how they start eating properly. They leave here when they’re twelve, don’t they? But they always pop in to get a bit of our affection. We’re here with open arms.”
~ Cláudia, cook at Pró-Criança
Luane
“Hi, my name is Luane and today I’ve come to tell you a little bit about my journey here at Pró-Criança. First of all, I wanted to say and make it clear that I’m so grateful to have been part of this project, for the doors it opened, you know? Because it really helped my mum, me and my sister, who was also part of it.
Nowadays I’ve got a degree, I’m a teacher, but I’ve always carried with me the lessons and experiences I had here as part of this incredible project. And without a doubt, it did me a world of good.
Nowadays, it’s very rewarding to come back here and reminisce about some of the moments I experienced here. And without a doubt, this project has shaped my life.”
~ Luane, a former beneficiary of Pró-Criança
Carla
“So, today I’ve come here to Casa Pró-Criança to thank all the volunteers who help out here at Pró-Criança. I’m a mum whose son isn’t here today, but he spent a long time here and helped us with absolutely everything. As someone who’s struggling financially, he helped us so, so, so much. I’m actually leaving here feeling a bit sad because, unfortunately, he had to start at a full-time school. So, I’ve brought a memento, everyone, which really moved me. The kindness you show us, welcoming our children, welcoming us… It’s a wonderful gift; it’s not just any gift you give, you give a wonderful gift. And I want to thank all the staff here who look after our children: Renata, Rafael, Vanessa, Cláudia (if I’m not mistaken about her name), and Cláudia from the kitchen, who look after our children so thoughtfully, with such care and attention. They speak to us wherever we are. Our children are very happy here. As a mum, I’m so happy; I even get emotional because I didn’t want him to leave here, you know? But unfortunately, he had to leave. So, really, thank you so much, thank you so much for all the help we receive from the church, the priest, and the church members. Thank you so much; you really do make so many mums happy.”
~ Carla, mother of former beneficiary Edgar
Vanessa
“Hello, my name is Vanessa, and I’m a social educator at the Pró-Criança Movement. I’ve been here for about a year. It’s an honour for me to be part of this organisation, where we provide children with a warm welcome, education, art, culture and everything they need. It’s an honour to be part of it, and congratulations on this wonderful project – I feel truly privileged to be here.”
~ Vanessa, educator at Pró-Criança
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN
TAKE PART IN OUR 2026 SUMMER APPEAL