Last weekend, Vila Cuore – the Education and Professional Training Center of the Alliance of Mercy – held an Entrepreneurship and Employability Fair, an initiative that marked the conclusion of the Gastronomic Techniques Course offered at the location. The main objective of the event was to put into practice the knowledge acquired during the classes, especially in entrepreneurship, taught by students from the school. Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV).

Around 20 exhibitors actively participated in the fair, presenting and selling the products they developed throughout the course. Approximately 50 people attended the event, including students, visitors, organizers and collaborators. The activity was organized by João, Mônica Brancher and Luísa Brazuna, with support from Bia Rabinovich Institute.

Participants were able to practice skills such as product development, brand definition, sales strategies and direct contact with the public. The fair was not only an opportunity for practice, but also a real chance to generate income and transform lives.

One of the exhibitors reported the significant change she experienced after participating in the course and the fair:

“It was a unique opportunity. I have been working on the street for almost seven months, and with the gastronomy course I began to see brigadeiro as my profession. Before it was something sporadic, but today it is my source of income. I have learned a lot and continue to learn. I am very grateful to Aliança de Misericórdia, Mônica, Luísa and João. Their support was essential. Casa da Aliança not only transformed my professional life, but also my personal life, supporting me during a very difficult time. It was care that came from God.”

Another participant highlighted the learning involved in the entrepreneurial process:

“The fair showed that entrepreneurship is not just about producing and selling. There is a whole process involved: cost, profit margin, location, audience, competition. Working as a group was essential. We learned to value each stage and understand that the final product is the result of a lot of planning.”

About Vila Cuore

Vila Cuore is an Education and Professional Training Center of the Alliance of Mercy located in Parque de Taipas, in the northern part of São Paulo. Its mission is to promote social transformation through comprehensive education. The space offers a welcoming environment and activities that include sports, culture, tutoring, sewing workshops, IT and gastronomy training, with a model industrial kitchen.

In addition to serving young people and adults, Vila Cuore houses a Center for Children and Adolescents (CCA), directly involved in the lives of people aged 6 and older. The initiative aims to educate prepared, aware citizens who are protagonists of their own stories.

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