Expanding Horizons changes the lives of young people living in vulnerable environments in Brazil
The project aims to offer young people between the ages of 17 and 22 a 10-month bakery technical course, free of charge. Our objective is to provide them with vocational training and, consequently, future prospects through education. The project aims to offer young people between the ages of 17 and 22 a 10-month bakery technical course, free of charge. Our objective is to provide them with vocational training and, consequently, future prospects through education.
Yesterday, August 22, we had the opportunity to visit the Natasha School in Guarulhos, Brazil, which offers technical education aimed primarily at low-income youth.
Together with the Help Alliance, a non-profit organization of the Lufthansa Group, LSG Sky Chefs assists with the Expanding Horizons project, which offers scholarships for young people to study at the school and join our bakery team. At the beginning of the project, in 2018, Mariam Meletti, marketing manager at the Lufthansa Group, recalls that there was only a small space little used by the school allocated to the project. But with work, organization and in partnership with LSG, they managed to transform it into an ideal kitchen for the practical part of the course.
During our visit, Marisa Fumanti, the school’s director, and Laura Single, the portfolio manager of the Help Alliance explained how the course works. In all, 1,200 young people receive instruction at the school. Currently, we have a group of five students taking part in the project who are already members of our bakery team, which has a total of 14 professionals trained at the Natasha School.
Testimonials from young graduates
The opportunity that the project offers has already changed lives. “It was the first time someone trusted me,” says a student. “And for the first time, I did something I liked.” She found the support she needed in the course and the tools to overcome the difficulties she was going through at home and support her daughter and family.
Another student, who lost his mother to cancer at a young age, had to find a way to help support his younger brother. Today, he is part of the LSG Sky Chefs team thanks to the program. “For the first time, I was able to buy something for my brother that he wanted so badly. That’s why I say the Expanding Horizons project doesn’t just open one door, but thousands!”
These are just a couple of the stories associated with the project. They prove that through the initiative, these young people have been able to find a way out of the difficulties they faced in life and dream of a better future.
“I am happy to know this place.”
After a fun exchange of stories during our visit, a group of students presented some delicious goods they learned to make during the course, and that are actually being served on board. Chef Celio Bocas, who works at LSG Sky Chefs and teaches at the school, says that the basis of LSG’s confectionery output has been shaped by students from the Natasha School.
“It’s something incredible,” adds the chef. “We are transforming lives here. And the best thing is that we are managing to create an excellent partnership between the project and LSG itself because the young people leave here to work there with all the necessary experience.”
Laura Single stated that the visit marked an extraordinary moment. “I am happy to know this place and to see the impact we have made on each of their lives.”
At LSG Sky Chefs, we are proud to support this project!