How did the idea come about?

In 1992, two friends, who happened to be doctors, with the help and collaboration from the community of the city of Ulianópolis, PA, decided upon constructing the first hospital of the same small town that was emerging on the Belem-Brasilia highway.

In a time of distress and great difficulties, such as the lack of a power grid and the closest commercial center being located 130 miles away, help from each of the members in the community was highly valued. Each individual helped in the way he could: with the granting of land, helping with earthworks, donating wood and construction material, along volunteering and providing words of encouragement and gratitude.

So, to live up to St. Francis of Assisi’s famous words of wisdom, “for it is in giving that we receive,” the founders of the São Francisco Hospital would like to offer to the community CONVIVER: casa de afeto.

The idea of building a long-term home for the elderly arose because the founders felt the need to give back as a way of recognizing the community for its contributions and they believe this project could be beneficial to the people of Ulianópolis.

SAO FRANCISCO Institute

The Sao Francisco Institute, responsible for the management of the Sao Francisco Hospital, is a public health care provider (Sistema Único de Saúde—SUS) and a nonprofit organization certified as a Social and Health Assistance Entity (CEBAS) by Portaria 180 (dated 2^nd of March of 2016) of the Ministry of Health within the Ministry of Health Care Attention, under the Law 12.101/2009.

To further expand on the matter of social assistance, the Sao Francisco Institute will also be responsible for the management of the long-term home for the elderly, CONVIVER: casa de afeto.

The initiative

Being conscious of the increasing number of elderlies and aware that one of the most arduous obstacles they face is loneliness, along with the belief that individual efforts can promote change; we have decided to put our ideas into action: the project of a deserving life.

The idea is to offer the elderly living conditions that truly meet their needs, improves their self-esteem, and encourages an affectionate coexistence among themselves, nature and society.

We want to provide a space where they can be happy, and active; where they are able to exchange experiences, have the opportunity to learn new things and truly LIVE in the manner they deserve to.

Our background with the Amazon

Our project is being developed in the region of the Amazon, a region that was previously explored during a time in which the government instigated deforestation with the goal of integrating the country. Nowadays, we have the intention to reforest part of the area with native plant species from the region.

Other than for the reforesting, we look for partners or collaborators for the installation of bio-digestive tanks, solar energy panels, a compost system, a system that produces methane gas, an irrigation system to reuse rainwater to develop a sustainable project.

We have a project that, we believe, is within the reality once experienced by the people that the institution will welcome. People who once worked on the land, cleared forests, managed farms and cared for animals. The intent is to preserve these people’s interaction with the earth, within their limits, with opportunities to help with the reforesting, by taking care or simply living close to the forest, gardens, and animals. We also plan on providing them with the opportunity to showcase their own skills through activities and crafts in the appropriate conditions and workshops.

The terrain

The 48,400 m2 of terrain where CONVIVER: Casa de afeto is being built was donated by the founders of the city, Mr. Zandino Uliana and Mrs. Ana Bergamin Uliana, both of which we are extremely grateful for, for placing the confidence in us and giving us the great honor of carrying out this project.

see the project

Get involved

We know the seeds of the ideas we are planting are going to sprout, grow, bloom and bear fruit.
Be a part of this project!

Come, see, live and experience and cause.

Our name

To CONVIVER is also share!

There are a couple of relevant words within this short meaningful name we decided to name the cause.

The last syllable in the word “VER” means “to see” in the Portuguese language, it reminds us to look at the elderly and see, or realize their real necessities and desires.

We can also see the word “VIVER”, which in Portuguese means “to live”. This reminds us to provide the elderly with favorable living conditions that allows them to live well fulfilling their desires and needs.

And what may these desires and needs be? Simply to “Conviver” which in Portuguese means “to be a part of, to live with”. The elderly need to stay relevant, not forgotten, they need to remain a part of society.

This project is made with love for those we LOVE.

So that we can continue to share and be gifted by their PRESCENCE.