Rondon Project launches “Velho Chico” operation in 12 municipalities in Pernambuco

Governor Raquel Lyra (PSDB) signed, this Friday (26), in a ceremony at the Palácio do Campos das Princesas, the technical cooperation agreement for the Rondon Project, an interministerial initiative of the Federal Government, for the launch of the “Velho Chico” operation. in 12 municipalities in Pernambuco.

The project is coordinated by the Ministry of Defense, and aims to contribute to the development of citizenship in higher education students, through the application of sustainable solutions for inclusion and reduction of social inequality. The agreement signed by the authorities establishes the partnership between the entities and distributes responsibilities.

At the ceremony, Raquel Lyra received Division General William Abrahão, representing the Minister of Defense, José Múcio Monteiro (PRD), as well as deputies, councilors, mayors and representatives of municipalities, and most of her secretariat.

The manager highlighted the importance of the operation both for the communities covered and for the student volunteers. “Certainly, these students will graduate better as citizens and professionals, acting in favor of our society, they will be able to awaken to work in public service, and allow their workforce to help many people to guarantee a better place to live”, he said. she.

General Abrahão celebrated the partnership between federal and state administrations, the Northeast military command and the University of Pernambuco (UPE), representing the participating educational institutions.

“The Northeast military command is supporting and trying to improve the quality of life, providing social good and cooperating with Brazilian society, which is to whom we are accountable. Teachers and students will be bringing their best to cooperate with sustainable development, focusing on the invisible”, declared the General.

Rondon carried out 93 operations in 1,368 municipalities in 24 states over the last 18 years, with the participation of 2,569 higher education institutions and 26,135 “rondonistas” – as the teachers and university students participating in the project are called, whose name pays homage to the trailblazer Marechal Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon. In total, more than two million producers, public agents, educators and local leaders were trained by the project.

In Pernambuco, the project has already carried out three other operations: “Rei do Baião” in 2010; “Canudos” in 2013; and “Guararapes” in 2014. Now, “Velho Chico” resumes activities in the State, operating in the cities of Afrânio, Araripina, Cabrobó, Cedro, Dormentes, Exu, Lagoa Grande, Parnamirim, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria da Boa Vista, Terra Nova and Trindade, with Petrolina as the regional center and concentration point.

Each municipality will receive two higher education institutions, each with a team of 10 volunteer Rondonistas, two mentor teachers and eight students per university, for a period of two weeks during the academic holidays. The groups will promote actions for sustainable development in communities, with practical workshops on different areas of knowledge, such as Culture, Human Rights, Justice, Education, Health, Communication, Technology, Production, Environment and Work.

The operation will have logistical support from the 72nd Caatinga Infantry Battalion, a military branch of the Brazilian Army.

Deliveries for Health

At the same ceremony, Governor Raquel Lyra delivered 24 health vans to the four Regional Health Managements (GERES) of Pernambuco, used for health transport and other strategic procedures in the cities covered. The event also featured a symbolic handover of the key to the regional Health manager, Camila de Sena, and the Health secretary, Zilda Cavalcanti.

“Of course, with 24 vans we cannot solve everything, but our objective is to guarantee more citizenship and dignity for the patient, and that the queues for exams and surgeries can be reduced in our State”, declared the governor.