In the northeastern state of Pernambuco, Brazil, a quiet revolution of care and hope is unfolding. The Centre d’Éducation Populaire de l’Assomption (CEPA) is a safe haven for children and teenagers from vulnerable communities, offering not only support but also a path to growth, creativity, and dignity.
Founded in 2004 by the Little Sisters of the Assumption and a network of committed lay collaborators, CEPA is grounded in the congregation’s charism: to be present where life is most fragile. Its mission is clear—accompany young people and their families through a holistic approach that combines education, creativity, social support, and a deep respect for human dignity.
Each day, CEPA opens its doors to young people from nearby neighborhoods, offering tutoring, artistic and cultural workshops—such as theatre, dance, capoeira—as well as IT classes, audiovisual training, and even hardware recycling. A welcoming play space invites younger children to explore, share, and grow together in solidarity.
But CEPA is more than a program—it’s a community. In an atmosphere of joy and respect, children and adolescents learn what it means to live together peacefully and actively participate in building a better world. Alongside professional staff and volunteers, the Little Sisters of the Assumption walk with each family, offering not only pedagogical support but also legal, psychological, and social guidance.
CEPA’s work is rooted in values that shape both its daily activities and long-term vision:
- Solidarity
- Social justice
- Listening and dialogue
- Ecology and care for creation
- Joyful coexistence
- Respect for diversity
- Personal autonomy
- Critical thinking
- Defense of human rights
- Cultural awareness
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Constructive conflict resolution
In every classroom and courtyard, in every shared meal and art project, CEPA invites each person to be seen, to be named, and to contribute. As the Little Sisters of the Assumption express in their Rule of Life:
“We search with others to create an environment where each one is called by name, invited to be creative and gradually to take part in building up the world.” (Rule of Life, No. 19)
At CEPA, peace is not just taught—it’s lived.
For more information, visit www.assomption-psa.org
Marcia Ferreira, Little Sisters of the Assumption – Caruaru, Brazil
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