By Sr. Ana Maria Rocha, CEPROMM Director, Erika Rocha De Oliveira, Project Social Worker, and Daise Campos, Project Psychologist, Brazil

(Province of Southeast Latin America)                        

In 1967 – during the period of the military regime in Brazil – the neighborhood of Jardim Itatinga was developed to house together in one area all women involved in any type of situation of prostitution.

It was the only type of its kind in the country, and the aim was to keep these women away from mainstream society in the city of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Within a decade – and responding to an invite from the local church – we arrived in the neighborhood in 1976 to found a ministry for marginalized women (PMM) who had been robbed of their dignity and literally pushed to the periphery of society.

In 1981, we extended our outreach to the neighborhood’s children to prevent them from getting involved with prostitution and drugs.

In 1993 – to secure the sustainability of our mission – we founded CEPROMM (Center for the Promotion of a Better World) to offer protection and ensure that rights are upheld and respected. Today, we serve 337 children, adolescents, and their families, totaling approximately 1,080 people directly served.

As part of CEPROMM, we run the Oasis Project that supports women, cis-gender, transgender, and transvestites who are or have been in situations of prostitution, gender-based violence, or who are living in poverty, sickness, or addiction. Through the project, we offer emotional support, promote empowerment, and raise awareness as we work to break the cycle of the violation of rights.

In partnership with the FEAC Foundation, Oasis is a project to offer hope and encourage women to flourish and bloom amid so many social problems.

Through conversation circles and individual support, we work to rebuild the self-esteem and self-worth of these women and help them reconstruct their lives, overcome their marginalization, and create new opportunities for their future.

Almost 50 years since our arrival, we remain known for the courage with which we fight for the residents of Jardim Itatinga, which continues as a place of open and unrestricted prostitution, housing over 2000 women who work primarily in one of the 200 brothels in the neighborhood.

For further information on this project, visit www.cepromm.org.br, email administracao@cepromm.com.br or follow their social media profiles: