ABOUT ASSOCIAÇÃO ARAYARA

Associação Arayara de Educação e Cultura is a nonprofit organization (N.G.O.) founded in 2001, whose mission is to foster the excelence in management and in education for sustainability in Brazil.
To accomplish this mission, Arayara has the vision and is working to be, in 2010 a reference in management and education among the third sector institutions.
Its committment and work are based in a new consciousness that values:
Life, the whole human being, Love, Learning, Diversity, Truth

Arayara is seen as a live network of articulated projects within the knowledge areas, with the function of an internal and external observatory, and as a strong manager of new proposals in the fields: Human values, relationship development, education for sustainability, culture and arts, pedagogical system and school management.

Arayara´s main project is "The School of the Dreams", whose main objective is : To improve the life quality of children and youths in public schools, with the application of activities and learning-teaching methods turned to a peace culture, rescuing the fundamental human values to the Brazilian educational community.

The project started with a dream in 1999, when some people who were touched by the deep problems that education and schools were facing at that time, gathered to discuss how they could share the knowledge and experiences they had in business (quality tools, management, projects, planning) with the schools, and improve public education. The project then was called “Brasil Feliz” (Happy Brazil) and the vision was to turn it in 2020: an example to the world.
The team conducted many activities towards the development of a new school, based in the “School of our dreams” model, as volunteers.
Then in 2001, with its legal institution, the name was changed to Arayara, a name taken from the tupi-guarani language which means “The lady of the light”; this name was chosen to honor a concept and work already strong among the volunteers, as the reverence to the wisdom of our ancestors.


History

• 1999 – Volunteers organization – first meetings and approaches
• 2000 - 2 schools – voluntary work.
• 2001 - 3 schools – voluntary work.
– Foundation of Associação Arayara.
• 2002 - 3 schools
• 2003 - 4 schools
– Professionalism of Associação Arayara.
• 2004 - 5 schools
– Organisation of the partnerships structure.
• 2005 – 6 schools.
– Weekly workshops, partnership developmenta and results.
• 2006 – 5 schools and a Pilot Project with SESI (Industry Social Service in Curitiba) – Escola do Futuro (Future School).

In the “School of the dreams” events, and consultancy projects for partners or other institutions, Arayara has applied the “Appreciative inquiry” methodology, which consists of identifying the group history and background, then, based on it, the activities go on with the visualization and construction of their own future, to make their dreams come true.

Other important projects being developed during 2007 are:
  • Sustainable Development Open University
  • Sustainability network (Rede da Sustentabilidade – www.sustentabilidade.org.br )
  • The school of the dreams and Youths in Action projects (partnership with Bosch company).
  • Mosaic of products and services.

With so big challenges, the most important role is played by our great (but small) team, our fantastic volunteers and partners.
Know how to participate and contribute with our projects and actions – get in touch with us through e-mail: contato@arayara.org.br or fill in a form at www.arayara.org.br - in “contato” to send your message.

 

Our address is: Associação Arayara de Educação e Cultura
Rua Comendador Franco, 1341
CEP 80215-090 Curitiba – Paraná - Brasil
Tel. +55 41 3271-7595 – Fax +55 41 3271-7520