Sister Dulce Maria and Liziane
by Sister Yvonne Nosal
The School Sisters of Notre Dame began the “Rumo Norte” Project in 2002, with the goal of professionalizing and empowering people with disabilities. The Project is located in the heart of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
The General Coordinator is Sister Dulce Maria Boniatti, SSND. She is assisted by Ms. Liziane Silva who coordinates the various pedagogical aspects of the Project.
Rumo Norte’s mission: To ensure that people with physical, auditory, visual or intellectual disabilities have access to workshops which contribute to their autonomy and inclusion in society and in the labor market.
Rumo Norte’s vision: To be a reference entity for people with disabilities, forming them fully as individuals and in their rights as citizens.
Rumo Norte offers 43 workshops, including braille, Spanish, handicrafts, computing, art, massage therapy, dance, theater, and posture rehabilitation. There are also groups such as a women’s group and a therapeutic group.
Approximately 193 people, the majority of whom are blind, make use of the Rumo Norte project services.
The sisters and staff have created a welcoming atmosphere at Rumo Norte. It is a safe environment where each person feels at home with oneself and with others.
Photo Credit: Sr. Yvonne Nosal, Lima, Peru
Source: In Mission 2018
