Household Electrician Course in Belo Horizonte

This project has established a training program for the qualification of volunteers working with the entities assisted by the Asin Project. The Training Program started in February 2003 and two classes have completed the program and graduated. Participants are taught theoretical concepts on planning and designing electrical installations, such as basic and mnemonic notions of basic electrical values and quantities, as well as voltage, current, resistance and electrical power calculations.

Students gain field experience while performing renovations in electrical systems of the Asin assisted institutions. Safe Working practices are observed at all times and all work is performed with the appropriate tools and equipment. At the end, the student’s progress towards a new profession is evaluated.

The institution that benefited from the first course held from February to July, 2003 was the Integrated Child and Adolescent Services Center (CIAME Pindorama) in the Pindorama district of Belo Horizonte. The entity, which is linked to the State Labor, Social Assistance, Child and Adolescent Secretaries, operates a socio-educational program and works with 300 youths including children and adolescents in and around the district who find themselves in situations of personal or social risk. Eight people from the community have received qualifications through this training program.

The Solar da Esperança Assistance Program (PASSE), in Conjunto Cristina C, Santa Luzia was the beneficiary of the second course held from February to June, 2004. Better known as the Casa do Pão XII (the house of bread), due to the delicious bread that is produced there, the institution works with the children, adolescents and adults from the surrounding community and neighboring districts, such as Palmital and Conjunto Cristina A and B.

Funding is provided by the Maria Nunes Spiritualist Society, located in the Providência district of Belo Horizonte. The fun and entertaining atmosphere at Casa do Pão XII, alongside the comprehensive religious education provided, help raise the self-esteem of the participants. The training program recently qualified another 25 individuals from the community.