White January: Mental Health Awareness Month! 🧠💖
At Cajuru Community Centre, our educators embraced this important theme in a playful and meaningful way! The children participated in a moving activity: they stood in front of a large mirror and wrote encouraging messages to themselves.
✨ The result? A burst of self-love and inspiration!
“You are loved by God.”
“I will change the world.”
“You are beautiful!”
“I am wonderful.”
“I love you.”
“Be beautiful for yourself.”
“I am very beautiful!”
How about trying this activity yourself?
Look inside, see yourself on the outside, and have courage.🌟
Congratulations to our educators for their sensitivity and inspiration! 👏
#WhiteJanuary #MentalHealth #SelfLove #Inspiration #EducationWithLove
**✨ What an incredible year we’ve had!**
So many challenges, miracles, joy, and victories. 🙌
Our greatest gift? Seeing life flourishing in everyone who passes through here. That’s *our* victory! 💛
It’s only Christ who inspires and encourages us to keep moving forward. And forward we go, heading into **2025**, when we’ll celebrate **25 years** of amazing stories and countless blessings! 🎉
We can’t wait to see you there too. Let’s make it unforgettable together!
🌟 **Happy New Year!** 🌟
Isaiah foretold the coming of the child of God centuries before:
“He will wear righteousness as a belt and faithfulness as a sash around his waist.
In that day, the wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat.
The calf and the lion will live together in peace, and a little child will lead them.”
With His arrival, not only would there be justice and equality, truth and peace,
but a child—just a small child—would become the light to guide all of humanity to God’s salvation and the redemption of all things.
He is the Good News for men, women, and children alike.
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Through Him, we live, move, and exist—and because of Him, we do what we do.
Merry Christmas!
Isaiah foretold the coming of the child of God centuries before:
“He will wear righteousness as a belt and faithfulness as a sash around his waist.
In that day, the wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat.
The calf and the lion will live together in peace, and a little child will lead them.”
With His arrival, not only would there be justice and equality, truth and peace,
but a child—just a small child—would become the light to guide all of humanity to God’s salvation and the redemption of all things.
He is the Good News for men, women, and children alike.
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Through Him, we live, move, and exist—and because of Him, we do what we do.
Merry Christmas!
A mother, saved by her Son.
“Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered
Will soon deliver you.
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
You kiss the face of God.”
**Song: Mary, Did You Know?**
We prepare for the arrival of the boy who would change the logic of all things.
He would open the doors of the Kingdom of Heaven to children and teach us to be like them.
Merry Christmas!
🎄 Christmas is such a wonderful time, and it’s even better with great food and great company!
✨ The annual **Cajuru Community Centre CCC Christmas Dinner** was absolutely amazing!
🤝 We invited partners who supported us throughout the year.
🍴 Families contributed to the feast, bringing delicious dishes that made the night even more special.
🍫🍓 And that’s without forgetting the fabulous dessert: fresh fruits, a chocolate fountain, and ice cream!
💫 As always, our team was **impeccable in every detail**!
💖 Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this celebration unforgettable!
#ChristmasDinner #Celebration #Gratitude #Community #TogetherWeAchieve #FestiveSeason
🌎 Did you know we are a national and international reference in joint care services?
At ECD, we run two shelters:
👩👧 One for adult mothers and pregnant women.
👩🍼 Another for pregnant or teenage mothers and babies.
✨ What is a Joint Care Shelter?
It is a highly specialized social protection service for mothers and their children facing risk, domestic violence, or homelessness.
Through our services, we provide:
🏠 **Temporary housing** and assistance with access to basic rights, physical and mental health, well-being, and education.
🤝 **Family bond preservation** and support for social and extended family reintegration.
💪 **Skill development**, fostering self-esteem, autonomy, resilience, and professional growth to prepare families for the job market and a fresh start.
📋 **Our Approach:**
We follow a structured plan, the **”Individual and Family Care Plan” (PIA/PAIFA)**, is organized into 3 key phases:
1️⃣ Reception, psychosocial assessment, and initial actions.
2️⃣ Family development planning and progress tracking.
3️⃣ Preparation for family and social reintegration and access to the job market.
💛 Join us in making a difference! Learn more, donate, or support us at **www.grupoecd.org**.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, marked a milestone in the fight for human dignity, freedom, and equality.
Since the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, led by figures such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, Protestantism has emphasized the centrality of individual dignity and the importance of free will—ideas that align with fundamental rights like freedom of belief and equality before the law.
Christianity has always had a strong connection with the promotion of social justice and a commitment to equality. Many of the concepts of religious freedom, freedom of expression, and human dignity present in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights can be seen as derived from biblical teachings. The principle of the "priesthood of all believers," which asserts that everyone has direct access to God without the mediation of ecclesiastical hierarchies, can be understood as a foundation for the defense of autonomy and individual rights—key pillars of the Declaration.
In various parts of the world, Protestant movements have played an important role in promoting human rights, especially during periods of oppression, contributing to the defense of civil and social rights.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights also emphasizes the importance of family and community living as fundamental to the full development of individuals. This emphasis on family unity and the protection of the family nucleus reflects the importance of interpersonal relationships, both in private and public contexts, for the well-being of all. Additionally, community living is essential to ensure inclusion, solidarity, and mutual support among individuals, which are vital aspects of a just and equitable society.
🌟 Celebrating 1 Year of Casa Jardim! 🌟
In 2024, ECD marks the 1st anniversary of the Casa Jardim, a home dedicated to teenage moms and pregnant teens. 💕
The “Welcoming Motherhood” program began on the 1st of March, 2023, and on its very first day provided emergency care to a teenage mom and her 9-month-old baby. From the start, we faced the challenge of building a skilled team and revitalizing the house to create a safe and welcoming space.
A huge thank you to @projeto.moradia for helping us transform the TV/playroom (featured in the cover photo) and the study/reading office. 🙌
By the end of 2023, we celebrated amazing achievements:
✨ 4 moms prepared to leave the care system with their children
✨ 2 girls entered the job market
✨ 4 completed vocational training courses
These results show the power of support and dedication in changing lives. 🫶 Every step of this journey reminds us why we do what we do.
🎉 Here’s to a year of impact, growth, and love! Let’s celebrate together!
#CasaJardim #ECD #TeenMoms #WelcomingMotherhood #CelebrateImpact #ChangingLives
**Today, our hearts are filled with gratitude for everyone who has been a volunteer at ECD over the past nearly 25 years.**
You have made our buildings beautiful.
You have filled our memories with colours, music, and wonderful flavours.
Without you, everything would feel a little less bright!
Volunteering isn’t just about giving time—it’s about giving your heart.
Thank you!
#Gratitude #Volunteers #ECDJourney