Many public schools in Brazil have limited resources for instruction in noncore subjects. Employees at Monsanto’s São José dos Campos site, recognizing the educational challenges faced by families in their community, developed two new programs.

The first program involved building strong relationships with local schools and government officials to develop two computer-training centers in schools that could address the needs of students and provide the greatest educational benefits. Monsanto team members volunteered to work as instructors, sharing technical knowledge to improve the students’ computing skills. Since 2001, more than 1,000 children, teenagers, and young adults have trained at these computer centers. Their new skills increase the opportunities they have to pursue careers that require computer literacy.

The second program raised environmental awareness among young people through education. The team members shared information about environmental responsibility with students, who were then encouraged to share what they had learned with others and to carry environmental protection concepts to their homes, schools, and community common areas. Since 2005, the program has helped young people become agents of change in their communities. Participants identify conditions that are considered to trigger harmful environmental effects, and they propose corrective actions through awareness and persuasive campaigns.