In the village cuore, in Taipas, in the northern part of São Paulo, the day June 23 It was marked by celebration and a new beginning.

In total, 37 students completed the Mesa Cuore and Intensive Baking and Pastry courses, offered in partnership with... Bia Rabinovich Institute. Of these, 31 participated in the graduation ceremony.. Six others were unable to attend due to work and health reasons.

A village cuore integrates the social initiatives of Covenant of Mercy Its mission is to be an educational village, embracing transformation through the education of people as a whole.

More than just teaching culinary techniques, the project promotes professional development, human support, and social interaction. In this way, it helps to open real paths to work and independence.

Between workbenches, ovens, and recipes, the students' journey also involves another type of learning: self-discovery.

“"They arrive shy and gradually gain confidence."”

Responsible for the courses, the chef and coordinator Monica Brancher She closely follows this transformation process. She has worked in gastronomy since 2003. In addition, she has been working with social gastronomy since 2017.

“"What we notice is that when the students arrive, they are always shy, embarrassed, with their heads down. But as the course progresses, they integrate, form friendships, and build self-confidence."”, he explains.

According to Mônica, the difference also lies in the human development that accompanies the journey.

“We work on certain virtues, empathy, and that helps. In the end, they form a group where they help each other and develop self-confidence, believing they can do more.”.

According to the coordinator, gastronomy goes beyond technique.

“"Gastronomy is culture, it's socialization, it's empowerment. It's affection, it's something you prepare and can share with others.".

She also highlights stories that she has followed since the very first classes.

“"There are many stories of transformation, of people who started to have their own income, their freedom, and began to dream again.".

Entrepreneurship

Among the graduates is Samantha Torres de Moraes, who completed courses in baking and pastry making.

For her, the apprenticeship concretely expanded her job opportunities.

“I was already working from home. After the course, it opened up a wider range of opportunities for me to work even more from home, to become an entrepreneur.”, he states.

Samantha also highlights the lessons she takes away beyond just technique.

“"The biggest lessons learned are empathy, dedication, and a focus on quality and good taste, both for those who will consume and those who will buy.".

“"They leave here transformed as people."”

For the volunteer in human development, Luiza Brazuna, The students' changes become apparent throughout the process.

“We see a transformation. They don't just learn culinary techniques, but they also get to know themselves better. Sometimes they arrive feeling sad and isolated, and they leave here happy, recognizing their own worth.”.

Luiza emphasizes that the change isn't just happening in the professional field.

“"It's a transformation of the human being as a whole."”

Partnership

Representing the Bia Rabinovich Institute, Elis Magalhães He highlighted the continued partnership with the Alliance of Mercy.

“"Within our evaluation criteria, Aliança received all the points. And we are continuing with the project because we see the results: students entering the job market, getting hired, and transforming their lives."”, he states.

For Elis, the key difference lies in the comprehensive support.

“"A person arrives one way and leaves completely transformed, not only professionally, but as a person.".

Between techniques, encounters, and stories, gastronomy remains a starting point. Along this path, learning to cook also becomes a way of learning to start over.