On October 27 and 28, the Southern Bahia region hosted the in-person gathering of the program’s first edition, bringing together participants from Brazil, Peru, Panama, and Angola representing Odebrecht Engineering & Construction, Nova Infra Invest, OR, Horiens, Vexty, and FNO. During the event, volunteers were divided into three groups and assigned to the Rural Family School of Igrapiúna (CFR-I), the Rural Family School of Presidente Tancredo Neves (CFR-PTN), and the Agroforestry Family School of Southern Bahia (CFAF), where they met their respective mentees.

Since August, 39 volunteers have been serving as mentors to students from the Family Schools that partner with the Foundation in the region, supporting them in developing skills such as leadership, entrepreneurship, and career planning. The initiative contributes to the development of these young people’s life projects and broadens their future perspectives.

The in-person meeting marked an important milestone in the journey, which had already included five online mentoring sessions. In addition to promoting integration and strengthening relationships, the experience enabled participants to gain a closer understanding of the students’ realities and of the work carried out by the Family Schools and the Foundation through the Integrated Development and Growth with Sustainability Program (PDCIS).

For Katiane Gomes, Educational Coordinator at CFR-PTN, SERVIR has generated impacts that go beyond the educational environment. “The Program makes a tremendous difference in the lives of our young people. The mentoring sessions have a profound impact on their daily routines and, throughout this process, they build relationships that go far beyond guidance. They become friendships,” she said.

Another highlight of the meeting was the presentations delivered by mentor-mentee pairs. The moment was marked by the sharing of lessons learned, challenges, and results achieved throughout the months, demonstrating the value of exchanges between people from different backgrounds, cultures, and realities.

Among the volunteers participating in the program was Maibeth Cedeno, of Nova Infra Invest, who traveled from Panama to meet her mentee, a CFAF student, in person. “I have learned a great deal through SERVIR. I leave here even more motivated to teach and contribute. Being close to my mentee helped me reflect on how I can improve the way I share knowledge and increase the positive impact I can generate in communities,” she said.

The experience also left a lasting impression on the mentees. Conan Nascimento Oliveira, a student at CFR-I, highlighted the importance of these two days of close interaction. “The in-person SERVIR meeting was incredible, a very enriching experience. These days will remain forever in our memories and hearts. I can only thank the Family School and the Foundation for all their support,” he said.

About SERVIR

More than a Volunteer Program, SERVIR creates opportunities for mutual learning through the sharing of the principles of Our Culture. Each mentoring relationship is guided by one of the nine values that shape the organizational culture of the Novonor Group, including “We act with a spirit of service,” “We are diverse and inclusive,” “We trust the potential of every human being,” and “We promote sustainable development.”

In this way, the program strengthens the daily practice of these principles and reinforces the belief that the development of people is an essential path toward transforming communities.

The first edition of SERVIR will continue through November, with three additional online mentoring sessions. Until the end of the journey, volunteers and students will continue expanding their exchanges and building knowledge that strengthens youth leadership, deepens the experience of Our Culture, and increases participants’ engagement with the purpose of the Norberto Odebrecht Foundation.