When Ramacrisna emerged in 1959, the world was very different from what it is today. The capital of Brazil was still Rio de Janeiro, and Brasília was still under construction, for example. Computers were still huge machines used in government intelligence sectors. Cell phones and the internet did not yet exist.
It was in this context that the professor, accountant, and journalist Arlindo Corrêa da Silva decided to take eight street boys to his own home in Belo Horizonte. He believed that education was the best path to prevent social problems. To regularize the situation, he registered the Social Organization in a notary office, under the name of the Indian philosopher Sri Ramakrishna, an ecumenist who lived in the 19th century and preached social work as a means of transforming human beings.
The following year, the number of children served was already greater, and the professor’s house could not accommodate them. That’s when he relied on the support of friends to buy some plots in Betim. In 1960, the construction of the buildings began, and in 1962, the first location was inaugurated, with the second building functioning by 1964. Until 1993, the space operated as a boarding school for boys.
Since then, the doors of Ramacrisna have been opened to more people through partnerships with the Betim City Hall, companies, and other social organizations, including international ones. Thus, it was possible to enhance its actions in the areas of low-cost food, increased level of education, professional training, culture, sports, digital inclusion, and social assistance.
Years after Professor Arlindo took eight boys home, Ramacrisna provided over 105,000 services in 2023 alone. Throughout all 65 years, over two million people have been transformed by at least one of the organization’s projects.
Additionally, for the seventh consecutive year, Ramacrisna has earned a place in the ranking of the top 100 NGOs in the country. A recognition for the work carried out with transparency, ethics, governance, and accountability.
50 Years of the Library
Although this is a great reason to celebrate, it’s not the last. This is because 2024 also marks the 50th anniversary of the Ramacrisna Library, named after Professor Arlindo Corrêa da Silva, in honor of the Institute’s founder.
For half a century, the place has helped expand the universe of children and young people in situations of social vulnerability, opening the doors of the literary world to them. With 194 m², the library has a collection of children’s and adult literature with over nine thousand cataloged books. In addition to sparking interest in reading among students enrolled in the Institute, the project serves employees and the entire community of 13 municipalities in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte.
With broad and accessible service for the entire community, in 2023, the library loaned out 1,299 books. In the “Reading Suitcase” project, which takes the library beyond the walls of the Institute, four kits filled with various books were distributed, resulting in serving 6,265 people in Betim and neighboring cities.
But we must look to the future. Ramacrisna aims to maintain its excellent work for many years, helping even more people. For this, we need your collaboration. Get in touch with us and learn how to help.
