The Jequitinhonha valley in the North of the federal state Minas Gerais is one of the poorest regions in Brazil. A large part of the population survives as farmers, living of subsistence farming with an income under the poverty line. Because there are only few schools for higher education in the area and the ones that there are do not offer any practical education, many sons and daughters of small farmers do not stay at school after basic education, but instead hire themselves out as cheap laborers. In the project «Agricultural school in Veredinha» sons and daughters of local farmers have the opportunity to enjoy higher education in their native region.

The curriculum takes 3 years. The pupils graduate as agricultural technicians. The school started with 54 students in 2011 and should have over 100 students by the end of 2013. Half the students are girls. 

Fontana Foundation invested in the project for the start-up phase 2011-12 through the Vivamos Mejor Foundation. In November 2012 we reviewed the project in Veredinha and were pleased to learn that the state of Veredinha has recognized the school as one of the vocational schools that would be financed by the state government. Our contribution has helped to build it up. At the end of 2013 the first 47 students are expected to graduate from Veredinha.

For more information, please visit www.vivamosmejor.ch