What the Project Is
During the initial months of the pandemic—when schools were closed and families found themselves in prolonged solitude—a remarkable initiative quietly emerged. The project, entitled “LIVES OF DESPERTAR DURING THE PANDEMIC,” brought together educators, researchers, health professionals, artists, poets, parents, and other inspiring individuals for weekly live conversations every Sunday evening during the remote quarantine of 2020. Without elaborate marketing strategies or a grand plan, these spontaneous moments of exchange blossomed into a series of truly meaningful encounters that bridged physical distances and offered vital support at a time when the world needed it most. Simultaneously, the Despertar School, founded in December 2001 by partners Juliana Friedrich and Paula Baggio, was busy nurturing an educational environment where children are seen as protagonists of their own learning. The school inaugurated its current headquarters in 2012—a space designed not only to meet but to exceed the evolving needs of children and the community.
Main Benefit
The initiative and its accompanying educational institution offer a range of impressive achievements and core facts that resonate deeply with anyone interested in quality education:
- Seven months of uninterrupted weekly live sessions during the pandemic, featuring diverse voices and perspectives.
- A spontaneous series of engaging lives without heavy marketing—created purely from the need for connection and support.
- The Despertar School’s longstanding legacy, having been founded in December 2001, and its modernized headquarters since 2012.
- A strong foundation in Italian educational philosophy, inspired by Loris Malaguzzi, emphasizing that children are central to their learning process.
- A mission built around nurturing the relationships among school, family, and community, along with a commitment to continuous improvement and meaningful experiences.
- A bcorp score of 119.7 attesting to its dedication to social and environmental impact.
Community Engagement
The charm of the Despertar project lies in its organic development. In the face of uncertainty, the school community discovered new ways to interact… Conversations flowed naturally during these Sunday lives, and each session quickly became a welcome ritual. It wasn’t a meticulously planned event, but rather a series of spontaneous gatherings that grew into something much bigger than anticipated. Educators and parents alike found solace and inspiration in these live sessions, which were available on platforms like Instagram and YouTube. The project not only served as a channel for sharing knowledge and experiences but also as a reminder that even in isolation, human connection finds a way. Every live broadcast meant a little more hope, a little more reassurance that no one was alone during such a critical period.
Continuous Growth in Education
At its core, the Despertar School is anchored by the belief that continuous learning is essential for growth. The institution invests significantly in the ongoing training of its team. The dedication to daily reflection, research, and the sharing of learnings underpins an educational approach that is as dynamic as it is nurturing. The school’s foundations are built upon the understanding that true education extends beyond the classroom, involving close work with families and constant improvement in management practices. This commitment to continuous evolution ensures that the learning environment remains responsive to the needs of each child and is well-equipped to foster creativity, critical thinking, and resilience—qualities that are indispensable, especially in times of challenge.
Philosophy and Values
The project and the school are deeply rooted in a philosophy that marries tradition with progressive educational ideals. Inspired by the Italian educational theorist Loris Malaguzzi, the approach emphasizes that children are not merely passive receivers of knowledge; instead, they are active participants in their own learning journey. The intrinsic values that guide this system are captured succinctly in four words: Learn, Coexist, Protect, and Feel. It might seem simple, but these values resonate powerfully in the everyday interaction between educators, students, and families. Even in the midst of a global health crisis, the commitment to providing a nurturing and enriching environment remained steadfast—a testament to the profound strength of this educational approach.
Rich Educational Legacy
Embedded within the fabric of the Despertar project is a rich educational legacy that spans decades. The school, which has been a beacon of quality education since its inception in December 2001, continued to evolve and adapt in response to the needs of its community. In 2012, the unveiling of its modern headquarters symbolized not just architectural growth, but also a renewed commitment to creating spaces designed specifically for the growth and well-being of children. The approach is holistic: educational activities are designed to integrate academic learning with social and emotional development, ensuring that children learn in an environment that recognizes and nurtures their unique potential. This powerful combination of traditional values and innovative ideas creates an inspirational model of education that continually influences early childhood learning methods.
Project Impact
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Emphasizing accessible, inclusive, and equitable education for all children and adults.
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Supporting mental and emotional health through community engagement, especially in times of crisis.
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Fostering a learning environment that bridges gaps between diverse communities and promotes equal opportunities.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Building strong connections between school, family, and community to collaboratively drive social progress.
Looking Forward
Today, the Despertar project stands as a spirited example of how communities can rally together in trying times. The legacy of those pandemic days, marked by spontaneous yet impactful live sessions, continues to inspire many within the realms of education and beyond. Looking ahead, the commitment to meaningful learning is as strong as ever, with the values of learning, coexisting, protecting, and feeling taking center stage in every initiative. It is a gentle reminder that even when isolated, connections flourish, and from every challenge can emerge a new opportunity for growth—even if sometimes the best ideas are born out of uncertainty, emerging almost like magic… This forward-thinking vision strengthens the promise of a future where education, enriched by collaboration and compassion, paves the way for endless possibilities.
