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Making community impact in São Paulo with Projeto Impacto

Throughout the year ACT gets behind causes connected to Ardonagh colleagues around the world through our Community Grant programme.

To date, ACT has awarded over £1.2 million to 280 projects put forward by our people – making a difference to communities around the world, including in Latin America.

Projeto Impacto pela Associacao Desportiva Santo Andre is a charity in the outskirts of São Paulo in Brazil. “The Impact Project”, as its name implies, aims to impact children’s lives on and off the mat – through the sport of judo.

The Projeto Impacto team and its students in high spirits!

The local area surrounding the charity is affected by many issues, including drugs and crime, however community spirit is strong and Projeto Impacto exists to provide children and young people a different approach to life.

Through judo, the project offers the opportunity for connection, discipline and the chance to live and breathe the judo values of respect for others, humility and love.

During filming, MDS colleague Cristina (right) also took to the mat.

MDS Brasil colleague, Cristina, got to know the charity through her connection to the project coordinator, Gabriel. She saw firsthand the way children’s outlook was shifted by being a part of the judo family.

Following a nomination to ACT’s quarterly Community Grant programme, the charity received £5,000 funding towards is renovation project. At the time of nomination, Projeto Impacto had a waiting list of more than 40 children, but not the space to provide extra sessions.

Thanks to ACT’s £5,000 grant, the centre was able to put up a new structure to increase space, meaning that numbers have been able to grow from 60 children to over 160!  

It was thrilling to receive the news that the institution I nominated was among those selected. Even more special was seeing firsthand how this choice transformed so many lives. I'm not just talking about the children of Projeto Impacto, but also their families and all the people who dedicate themselves to keeping the project alive. May this energy continue to spread, and may we be agents of transformation, promoting growth, support, and learning for everyone—both those who donate and those who receive. Thank you very much for everything.
Cristina Bueno Goncalves, MDS Brasil, who nominated Projeto Impacto for an ACT grant

We visited the charity as the work was about to begin to find out from Cristina, Gabriel and some of the children supported why Projeto Impacto matters so much to the future of young people and the wider community.

The renovation of the space was a milestone for us. The larger tatami helped a lot with training, the space became more comfortable, and we welcomed many new students. Thank you so much — judo has truly changed our neighbourhood.
Allan Gabriel, Student at Projeto Impacto, who has been attending judo sessions since the start
With the help we received, we were able to tear down the old space and build a new hall. Thanks also to the support of Associação Desportiva Santo André, the number of children we serve grew from 60 to 160, with judo classes now running in all three shifts: morning, afternoon, and evening. Beyond the trainings, the new facility has opened doors for cultural activities, lectures, and celebrations. “Today, we continue to grow. We have even created an institute, so we can expand our impact, support more children, and bring new opportunities through sport, education, and community. We are now the largest judo training centre in the city of Santo André, and more than that, our space has become a place that brings joy, sport, and leisure to a region of the city that is often overlooked.
Gabriel Rusca, Projeto Impacto founder and judo trainer

Here's a selection of photos of the new space being put to use by the ever-growing number of students the Projeto Impacto supports.

ACT’s Community grant programme is available to all Ardonagh colleagues across the world. Through this initiative, Ardonagh colleagues can nominate a cause with a project in need of funding for up to £5,000 (or equivalent currency).

The programme runs on a quarterly basis, with applications reviewed by the ACT Trustee board four times a year. Find out more on the grants page of our website.