SER Alzira de Aleluia do Vidigal

ER Alzira de Aleluia is a non-governmental organization based in one of Rio de Janeiro’s Favelas. The mission of SER Alzira de Aleluia is to work alongside with the community of Vidigal, promoting citizenship, providing professional and educational training. For the community, we are promoting spaces of reflection, independence, and empowerment. The motto “SER” signifies “Educate to restart again.”

The Vidigal Favela is located in Rio de Janeiro’s south zone. Despite its location between two of the city’s wealthiest neighbourhoods, Vidigal’s citizens face a harsh reality of poverty. Because of the negative connotations of living in a favela, many people face social rejection and a lack of possibilities.

In 2003 Antonio de Aleluia founded the professional training centre “SER Alzira de Aleluia” in Vidigal. Antonio, who was born and raised in the neighborhood, overcame prejudices and a lack of opportunity to become the first student from Vidigal at a university. Recognizing that the Favela was still struggling, Antonio decided to turn his old family house into a training centre, with the goal of promoting education, citizenship, and the development of community members.

The NGO believes that it is very important to encourage the population of the favela to break the stigma that society is located in the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. We do this by promoting education as a way out and is necessary tool to improve their quality of life. To help people do this, SER offers courses and services in a variety of areas such as sports, dance, foreign languages, vocational training, social services, psychological support and leisure.