NEEM seeks support for expansion of new headquarters in Complexo do Alemão
The Estrela de Maria Stimulation Center serves over 350 families caring for children diagnosed with neurological disorders and rare syndromes using cannabis
By Sechat Editorial Team
Founded by activist Rafaela França, the Estrela de Maria Stimulation Center (NEEM) has just secured a new headquarters to better accommodate its patients with greater capacity and dignity. However, the NGO still needs more hands and hearts to continue supporting the atypical families of Complexo do Alemão (RJ).
The support group is conducting an online fundraising campaign to raise funds to furnish the new headquarters of the institution, located in the Castrol neighborhood, within the community.
“With the help of partners, we managed to rent a house with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a porch, and a small yard,” highlights Rafaela.
Why support NEEM?
Covering over 44 favelas in Rio de Janeiro, the center serves more than 350 families. “We are hundreds of mothers caring for sons and daughters diagnosed with neurological disorders and rare syndromes using cannabis-based medications within the largest complex of favelas in Rio,” says Rafaela, who continues:
“Now, we have managed to secure our own headquarters and need to equip it so that more families can be served and receive, free of charge, their treatment with cannabis medications and all the support we offer to the community.”
The house, located within the community, has three bedrooms, a living room, two bathrooms, a porch, a yard, and a kitchen. The space is empty and needs to be equipped for the following configuration:
- Room for therapeutic activities for atypical children;
- Family reception room/office;
- Kitchen for meal preparation;
- Bathrooms prepared for general care of children and staff;
- Porch for community events and NEEM's income generation;
- Room for income generation courses for atypical mothers and the community in general.
NEEM provides a social service to the community and humbly tries to operate in areas where the State has no presence. The health of atypical children and the quality of life of their families is a collective issue that needs to be built from many hands.
Therefore, any support to continue is essential, and anyone can contribute to the cause that, perhaps, is not even theirs, but contributes to a fairer and more honest world, with places of equity and the right to access for all.
For more information about NEEM or to make your contribution to the project, visit the fundraising link: