The Alok Institute is supportive of the Friends of Portraits of Hope Association, an organization led by Bismarck Araújo that operates in the sertão and needy areas of Bahia. Since 2016, there has been a dream of transforming the reality of families in the community of Rio do Vigário (Canudos – BA) and its surroundings: an isolated region in the municipality of Canudos (Bahia) with a scarcity of food, a dry climate, a lack of work opportunities and poor education.
In 2019, Alok and Fraternity Without Borders visited the location that Alok named as Vila Esperança and with his own resources financed the construction of two houses and a library. In 2021, the Alok Institute supported the construction of six more houses, and in partnership with other institutions, it was possible to build another 22 houses within the community.
The name refers to the NGO “Retratos de Esperança” (Portraits of Hope) responsible for the project, which is led by photographer Bismarck Araújo and operates in the hinterlands and impoverished areas of Bahia.
In 2021, Alok Institute supported the construction of an additional 6 houses and played a role in mobilizing resources for a truck and water access infrastructure. To this moment, 40 liters of water per day are distributed to the families. In collaboration with other institutions, Retratos de Esperança has progressed to build more 22 houses and a community kitchen where 250 meals are served daily.
The library has expanded and transformed into an Educational Center—a hub for studies and community engagement now used by 219 families.
In 2023, with renewed support from the Alok Institute, the contribution was used for the structural renovation of the Educational Center. This enables the space to give children, young people, and teenagers extracurricular activities, training courses, workshops and academic reinforcement. Improvements include enhancements to the library, computer room and cafeteria.
The Alok Institute also supports the “Frutos da Esperança” (Fruits of Hope) project in the region of Jacobina (Chapada Diamantina-BA), where the NGO Retratos de Esperança is creating a planting area to promote food security.
Fotos: Arquivo Retratos de Esperança
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On June 26, 2023, Alok returned to the village he named Vila Esperança in 2019. Today, the project has facilitated water access for 50 families, and most of them now have masonry houses. Alok revisited the families, enjoyed time with the children, and witnessed the beginning of the Villa’s renewal and equipment acquisition for the educational center.
