The Igrapiúna Rural Family Home (CFR-I) and Agroforest Family Home (Cfaf), located in Igrapiúna and Nilo Peçanha, in Bahia, respectively, have reason to celebrate. The Brazilian National Economic and Social Development Bank (BNDES) has released the funds for the remodeling and expansion of the teaching units, which will allow an increased number of youth to benefit from the initiative each year. The investment is the result of the Technical and Financial Cooperation Agreement signed in 2009 by BNDES and the Odebrecht Foundation.

According to Robson Kisaki, Teaching Director at CFR-I, the achievement is a gift for all educators, employees and students: “The new installations will create a more favorable Com o Sistema Ponto a Ponto, a tarifa environment for learning and will allow the sites to hold activities for the community,” said Kisaki. For CFR-I, the funds were divided into two payments. The first, which is already available, in the amount of approximately R$ 700,000, is for the construction of the classrooms, administrative area and teachers’ room, cafeteria, computer lab, library and multisport court.

The release of approximately R$ 750,000 for Cfaf as a single payment will help it expand its lodging and build a cafeteria, library, seed laboratory and room for the school board and teaching team. “This partnership will help to further improve the technical and professional training offered to the youth,” said Suzana Baiardi, the home’s Teaching Coordinator.

In 2011, CFR-I and Cfaf were authorized to administer the Professional Technical Education High School Course in Agribusiness and the Professional Technical Education High School Course in Forests, respectively, both integrated with the High School. The certification was recognized by the Bahia State Board of Education.

Other Actions
The Presidente Tancredo Neves Rural Producers’ Cooperative (COOPATAN) was also benefitted and received the second payment, in the amount of more than R$ 691,000, corresponding to the construction of a fruit pre-processing unit. The first payment, of approximately R$ 750,000, was released in June 2011. The construction work is set for conclusion in February of this year.