Supporting and empowering beauty from within
Message from the founder:
Welcome to projeto B.ELAS! I'm Martina, a 16-year-old high school student in Palo Alto, California. I'm so excited to have you here. Let me share a bit more about myself and the inspiration behind this project.
I am originally from São Paulo, Brazil, but moved to California at 13. Although I have lived in Palo Alto for a few years, my Brazilian roots, identity, and cultural background still significantly shape who I am. During my first year at Greene Middle School, I was shy and hesitant to join any extracurricular or after-school activity. Only around two years ago, at Palo Alto High School, where I started joining clubs and other nonprofit organizations, I found a topic I am passionate about; female empowerment. These experiences and finding something I am deeply passionate about have fueled my ambition to start something truly impactful in a place close to my heart, São Paulo.
This is where Projeto B.ELAS comes in. The project officially took off in the summer of 2023 when I visited the Instituto de Paraisopolis. Our mission is dedicated to fostering self-esteem and confidence in teenage girls. Through donating self-care products, like makeup, we aim to give girls an opportunity to embrace their individuality and reassure them of their presence and potential in society. We aim to gather financial and product donations and ensure these items are distributed to girls who might not have easy access to them.
When young girls feel seen, empowered, and encouraged, they can develop a stronger sense of self-belief. At Projeto B.ELAS, we want to help young girls pursue their goals and aspirations with determination and support and confidence that will allow them to overcome obstacles and challenges. Girls should embrace their true potential.
History of Paraisopolis:
Paraisopolis has faced issues regarding poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to services like healthcare and education for years. Like many other favelas in Brazil, Paraisopolis also faces problems with violence, drug trafficking, and overall safety.
To fully understand the history of Paraisopolis, we must go back to 1921. The area where the favela is currently located was originally part of the Morumbi Farm, and it was divided into 2,200 separate lots by the União Mútua Companhia Construtora e Crédito Popular S.A. However, with this division, the infrastructure was never fully implemented, and those who acquired and bought these lots never took full and effective ownership or paid their due taxes.
Like many other times in the history of São Paulo, public and private projects which were notably implemented and developed ended up becoming abandoned and deserted areas. This was essentially an invitation for informal occupation.
In 1950 this area was transformed into small farms. However, with the establishment of other upscale neighborhoods like the Morumbi and the opening of larger paved roads in the surrounding area, Paraisopilis started to experience a significant appreciation, which sparked economic interest and growth in the community.
Around the same time, the first Integrated Development Plan for Santo Amaro was drafted, and it proposed the declaration of the area as a public utility with the aim of future urbanization. The plan was never actually implemented, and by 1970, the first wooden shacks and homes began to emerge.
Still, in 1970, the government determined that occupation in Paraisopolis would be limited to single-family and mixed-use housing, creating the conditions for implementing a unique occupation plan that would be developed within five years. Again, those plans were not implemented, and occupation in the region only intensified. The growth of migration and rising homelessness in the area only increased, especially with new people migrating from other nearby favelas, which were extinguished by the city hall.
Today the favela of Paraisopolis is the second largest favela in the city of São Paulo, with 55,590 people and 20,832 properties.
About the Institute Unidos de Paraisópolis:
The "Unidos de Paraisopolis" Institute was established in 2019 by Acacio Reis with a profound inspiration from his own experiences with impactful social projects during his childhood. In his life, these projects served as catalysts which unlocked new opportunities. Motivated by these transformative experiences, Reis aimed to ignite change and create a meaningful impact in the lives of children living in Paraisopolis. Currently, the institute offers a diverse range of programs, including music and coding lessons, as well as academic support in essential subjects like mathematics and English. With a vision to reach and benefit as many students as possible, the institute is continuously expanding. As part of this expansion, a new library is being inaugurated, aiming to provide an enriching resource center for the community. Through these initiatives, the "Unidos de Paraisopolis" Institute is dedicated to shaping a brighter future for the children of Paraisopolis.
(dosomething.org)
“75% of girls with low self-esteem reported engaging in negative activities like cutting, bullying, smoking, drinking, or disordered eating. This compares to 25% of girls with high self-esteem.”
(dosomething.org)
“7 in 10 girls believe that they are not good enough or don’t measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members.”
Confidence plays a huge role in shaping the lives of many teenage girls. With confidence, girls feel empowered to make their voices heard, take on new challenges, and pursue their goals and aspirations. Confidence fosters a sense of self-worth, and helps girls see themselves more positively and spark positive change. By encouraging a sense fo confidence within teenage girls, we give them the tools to go through their teenage years with authenticity, resilience, and inspiration.
Please consider donating and joining our efforts to empower young girls through the power of makeup and self care. Together, we can ignite inspiration and spark change which will make a difference. *any amount is helpful!
Unidos de Paraisópolis - Location
Address:
Rua: Manoel Antônio Pinto, 302 - Vila Andrade, São Paulo - SP, 05663-020
Phone number:
(11) 96232-3815