Ramacrisna Institute is a non-profit social institution, without religious or partisan ties, founded in 1959 by Brazilian accountant and journalist Arlindo Corrêa da Silva, managed by the General Assembly, Board of Directors, Fiscal Council and Executive Board.
For over 60 years, we have been developing projects on the educational, vocational, and cultural fields, while focusing on offering activities related to job and income generation, technology, sports and entertainment, among others, for socially vulnerable communities in 11 cities that belong to the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte.
The work we develop in our wire mesh factory has become a reference in self-sustainability projects. The profit obtained from the sales is destined to the social sector of Ramacrisna, guaranteeing more autonomy and uniformity in the services offered to the people supported by the projects.
The journalist Arlindo Corrêa da Silva always dreamt of contributing to society and helping others. Silva came to Minas in the 40’s; in the mid 50’s, he came to the conclusion that education was the best way to prevent social problems and started working with eight children, whom he took from the streets to his own home, in Belo Horizonte.
In 1959, he registered the Social Organization in a notary office, under the name of the Indian philosopher Sri Ramakrishna, an ecumenist who lived during the 19th century and preached social work as a way of transforming human beings.
As the number of children increased, the space became smaller, thus, with the help of friends, he begun to buy some lots in Betim. In 1960, Silva started to build the Institute. In 1963, he inaugurated the first building and, in the following year, the second, which functioned as a boarding school until 1992.
The founder passed away in 1993 but left behind a deliberative council to run Ramacrisna.
Since 1992, the Institute has been developing partnerships with the city halls of Betim, with the aim of enhancing its actions regarding low-cost food, while increasing the level of education, professional training and social assistance.
Ensures equal opportunities, empowers and promotes social and economic inclusion, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or any other distinction.
Offers complementary education to children and teenagers, promoting sociability and creative skills, stimulating cognitive potential and providing a positive attitude towards knowledge, while helping each individual to recognize themselves as an active and participating subject.
Promotes, through the Teenager Apprentice Program, the training of young people, enabling them to enter the labor market. It also creates professional qualification opportunities for its audience and helps to requalify the adults, expanding their skills and employability.
Ramacrisna’s purpose is to ensure the inclusion of socially vulnerable children and young people in its projects and promote their personal, social and economic development.
Develops several partnerships with public authorities, private companies, international organizations to mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources to develop actions and projects that meet the SDGs
The installation of a Photovoltaic Plant will generate continued savings for about 25 years, promote the financial sustainability of Ramacrisna, produce clean energy from a silent and long-life source as well as immediate savings for social activities.
For 60 years, Ramacrisna has been developing a responsible and transparent work, always valuing ethics and an inclusive and participatory management.
Ramacrisna’s Wire Mesh Factory uses modern machinery and adopts sustainable production principles.
Provides safe, nutritious and sufficient food for all students throughout the year. In addition, through an emergency action during the covid-19 pandemic, it distributed basic food baskets and food voucher cards to the vulnerable public served by the institution.
Ramacrisna guarantees the full and effective participation and equal opportunities for women in all its projects. It also promotes lectures and workshops on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
We have become part of several network organizations, councils and forums to strengthen the articulations between companies, public authorities and social organizations, such as:
