.webp)
It has been over 6 months since April of this year, when Rio Grande do Sul was devastated by floods that, according to official Civil Defense records, affected more than 2 million people. Although the number of citizens in shelters has decreased, there are still more than 2,000 people who have not returned to their homes, among many others who continue to suffer the consequences of the tragedy.
The devastation was profound and continues to leave psychological and economic scars on the affected communities. Beyond material losses, many families are still living without income or prospects for the future, exacerbating the personal and community crisis.
In response to this situation, the Pulso RS Projectwas born, an initiative by Rede Asta – which has been strengthening small artisanal entrepreneurs for 19 years – in partnership with Atados, which connects people to social causes, and renowned artist Mana Bernardes. Together, they have joined forces to generate income and hope for women directly impacted by the floods, offering them the opportunity to start over through artisanal work.
The project selects these women in partnership with NGOs in Rio Grande do Sul, offering training conducted by local coordinators, as well as kits containing all the materials they need to produce the bracelets.
The goal is to produce and sell 1 million bracelets, directly impacting 2,000 women and their families. Each participant can generate an income of up to R$5,000 from sales, an amount that can be fundamental for rebuilding a new beginning in their lives.
Stefany Ballejos, already selected for the project, shares how it is possible to dream about the future:
"With everything that happened and what is coming to me today, it’s already a change, and maybe in the future I’ll be able to say ‘there was a flood, I managed to make a bracelet that changed my life, my personality,’ and let it be that, right? We don’t lose hope or faith."
Joiciane Marques reinforces the importance of the project and the phrase adopted by the campaign that brings together influencers: "We, from Rio Grande do Sul, have already been forgotten, right? At first, everyone helps, and there’s that movement, but people think that we got back on our feet overnight. [...] There are people who are still left behind. So this project came for us to restructure ourselves, to give us a boost, to give us encouragement."
With an exclusive design, the bracelets are handmade in crochet, using waxed cotton thread and an adjustable silicone clasp. Each piece features a personalized porcelain tag, signed by artist Mana Bernardes, engraved with the words: faith, courage, regenerate, life, and love.
“For the women who lost almost everything in the floods, being able to work on something meaningful is essential to restoring hope. Beyond the income, the Pulso RS project aims to provide the possibility of starting over with dignity,” says Alice Freitas, co-founder of Rede Asta.
The bracelets will be available for purchase starting October 15th for R$39.90 at the project's official store on Mercado Livre via this link: https://www.mercadolivre.com.br/l/pulsors .
The Pulso RS Project also offers opportunities for companies and foundations to get involved in this social cause by supporting the project financially or purchasing bracelets as gifts for their employees and partners. Retail chains can resell the bracelets in their stores, expanding the project's reach and contributing to income generation for the women involved.
Learn how companies can participate and support the project at www.pulsoRS.com.br
Founded in 2005, Rede Asta is a social impact organization that transforms the reality of nano-entrepreneurs and their handmade products through education, market access, and support networks.
Over its 19 years of operation, it has generated more than R$ 20 million in income for 30,000 people across 369 Brazilian cities, becoming a benchmark as an organization that empowers the artisanal economy.
Rede Asta believes that artisanal production is a catalyst for a more sustainable, resilient, and diverse local economy with the power to create systemic impact and support the reduction of social inequality.
For more information, visit www.redeasta.com.br or send an email to contato@redeasta.com.br
Atados is an online social platform that has been connecting people to volunteer opportunities for social causes since 2012, with the purpose of coordinating solutions and resources to drive transformation and strengthen the work of organizations across various social causes. To provide its tools free of charge to a network of over 200,000 volunteers and 4,000 registered CSOs, Atados offers corporate volunteering, management, and social responsibility consulting services.
For more information, visit www.atados.com.br or send an email to pulsors@atados.com.br