Pró-Saber São Paulo
Transforming lives for 21 years
Pró-Saber SP is a non-profit civil society organization working in the Paraisópolis community in São Paulo, Brazil, since 2003. Our mission is to strengthen children’s and youths’ integral education by promoting reading and playing activities as transformation tools. Over the past 21 years, we have developed a methodology based on three pillars: reading, playing, and promoting the protagonism of children and youths.
Our impact goes beyond Paraisópolis
From the get-go, we have been deeply rooted in Paraisópolis, the third largest favela in Brazil—its population is greater than that of 90% of Brazilian municipalities. Over these 21 years, we have increasingly strengthened our role in the community, always attentive and adapting to new demands and emerging challenges.
Although much of our impact is here, our work is nationwide. With our latest program, Reading Stations, we have expanded to 12 Brazilian states, offering our transformative methodology to educators and children all over the country.
Our ecosystem: from age 4 to 19
At Pró-Saber SP, we follow every child’s journey from their early steps in literacy to their teenage years, keeping our focus on promoting their protagonism and empowerment.
Our ecosystem of programs makes a transformation network that goes beyond Paraisópolis’ borders to impact education across Brazil.
Pró Read & Play
This is the start of our journey when children become literate through reading and playing activities. This program offers a playful, welcoming environment for children’s literacy process. It offers daily reading and writing activities and games that strengthen self-esteem and social development. The program also involves the children’s families by promoting the pleasure of reading and creating emotional bonds.
Pró-Saber SP Library
A place dedicated to enhancing children’s bond with reading through various cultural programs and activities. A space dedicated to promoting reading for people of all ages, our Library is the “heart” of the organization, offering access to books and literary experiences that stimulate imagination and knowledge. It has become an increasingly important cultural hub in the community.
Pró Youth
A program that goes beyond reading and promotes the youths’ autonomy and protagonism. Focused on teenagers’ personal and professional development, this program offers vocational training combining self-knowledge, mediation of reading and playing activities, and access to the job market, thus enabling the youths to make a positive impact on their own lives, their families and communities.
Read & Play in Schools:
Teenagers become the multipliers of our work by taking our methodology to public schools located in Paraisópolis. Through this program, we offer reading activities and games in partner public schools, supporting children’s literacy and socio-emotional development. This program aims to strengthen the link between education and fun, encouraging the pleasure of reading while preparing children for an integrated, creative learning process.
Reading Stations
A key expansion of our ecosystem to other geographies, providing books, training, and transformative literary experiences. This program is focused on expanding our reading methodology beyond Paraisópolis by creating reading spaces in different sites. Our Stations offer free access to books and literary activities, encouraging the habit of reading and building a more inclusive and culturally rich future, with a special focus on forming new readers in different geographical regions while providing educators with continuous training and support.
You can be part of this transformation.
Our impact so far
* Numbers updated in January/2025.
These figures reflect our programs’ direct impact on the lives of children, teenagers, and their families.
Why support Pró-Saber São Paulo?
At Pró-Saber SP, we are committed to transparency. Our accounts are audited by Ernst & Young, ensuring that every donation we receive is used ethically and efficiently. In addition, our Annual Report is made available to anyone who may wish to learn about the transformative results we have achieved over the years.
We believe education should be a space of equity and diversity. With that in mind, we constantly reflect upon and improve our practices to fight racial inequalities, both internally and through our programs.
By supporting Pró-Saber SP, you help strengthen our mission and expand the impact we have generated. Your support not only helps transform the lives of thousands of children and teenagers but also contributes to a significant change in education in Brazil.
How to donate?
Your help is key to continuing our mission and expanding our impact. Select a contribution form that suits you best:
Engage your company through the platforms below
With your donation, you will be investing in the future of children and teenagers across Brazil. Every donation makes a difference, regardless of the amount.
Rua Manoel Antônio Pinto, 974
Paraisópolis, Sao Paulo, SP
Zipcode 05663-020
© 2025 Pró-Saber São Paulo. All rights reserved.
Design & Code: Sassarico