OVCI began its international cooperation mission in Brazil in 1983 by collaborating in the field of physiotherapy at the Casa Da Hospitalidade house in Santana, Amapà.
In 1986 it began the programme at the Marituba Leprosarium located 20 km from Belem, capital of the federal state of Parà, which was completed in 1993.
OVCI's experience in Brazil favoured the birth of the Brazilian A NOSSA FAMILIA Association, which received the Official Recognition from the municipality of Macapà on 31st May 1994.
In 1995 the Luiz Monza Paediatric Centre was established, offering the following services to the local population:
- Analysis Laboratory: different types of examinations are carried out there, some of routine, others more specific in case of doctors' requests. In addition to the tests, the laboratory also carries out rapid tests to diagnose syphilis (VDRL), HIV, Hepatitis B and C. The results of the tests are then recorded in the laboratory's computer system.
- Pharmacy: free dispensing of medicines on prescription by specialists of the Centre
- Socio-health services: (nursing assistance, provision of medicines, execution of examinations, medical examinations, food aid): aimed both at the users of the project and at the population of Barrio
- Home visits: to prove the conditions of vulnerability that are a necessary condition for access to the programmes provided by the Centre
Active Projects:
- Promovendo A Vida: a project that accompanies pregnant women and adolescents on an outpatient basis, with the aim of reducing maternal and neonatal mortality rates.
- Desenvolvimento Saudavel: a project that accompanies children aged 0-4 years in outpatient clinics with the aim of reducing child mortality (0-4 years).
- Projet Auxilio Alimentação: with the aim of providing food aid to families accessing the centre who are in need - this project is implemented thanks to donations received from local authorities (such as Mesa Brasil, PAA (Auxilio Alimentar Project, private donors and other entities)
OVCI enhances the Luiz Monza Paediatric Centre in Brazil as one of the privileged locations of Short Volunteering - a one-month international volunteer experience for young people between 20 and 30 years of age.
