Providing scholarships and supporting scholarship students are fundamental to ensuring full access to education. We believe that one of the most powerful and lasting ways to impact people's lives is through education. Therefore, the Psychopedagogical Support Center (NAP) plays a crucial role in welcoming students, minimizing gaps in their academic journey, and opening doors to the future.
Testimonial from Student Tainá
"Hello, I'm Tainá. I'm 21 years old and from the Guarani Mbya indigenous people. In my life, I've faced many challenges, especially in my studies. At the school I attended, people didn't accept that an indigenous person could study like them; they would stare or whisper and wouldn't approach me. Whenever that happened, I thought about quitting my studies and questioned whether it was worth being at school.
But my parents encouraged me to keep studying and were always by my side. I also had a teacher who helped me a lot, not just at school. We talked a lot, and she asked if I had a dream of taking a course; that's when I realized my desire to become a doctor to someday work in the village and help my people. With that in mind, I continued to persist in my studies, and despite facing people's prejudice, I managed to finish high school, knowing I had a long way to go, that there would always be challenges, and that even if I fell, there would be people to help me get up.
Less than a year later, I started considering studying medicine; I looked for a university and found one with an entrance exam more geared toward indigenous people. But around that time, I met Raquel Barros, who wanted to create a project in my village. She learned that some people wanted to take a university course and said we could try for a scholarship at Facens. I checked and saw they didn't have medicine yet, but they had nursing.
So, I took the exam and passed, but there was a small problem: I couldn't take the course at night. I waited a few months, and Raquel sent me a message saying I could change fields. I chose psychology. I wasn't very interested in this area but wanted to understand what the profession entailed.
Tainá Ara Poty Ribeiro Gabriel —
Psychology student at Facens.
On my first day of class, I was very afraid of encountering people who wouldn't accept an indigenous person at a university, especially since I didn't speak Portuguese very well, making communication difficult. But as days went by, I saw that people in my class were welcoming, and even though I kept to myself, I noticed my classmates wanted to get closer. I think I'm improving: I always tried to avoid presentations in class, but now I'm speaking a bit more and my Portuguese is getting better too. The person who helped me the most was my psychopedagogue, Edna, who works at Facens and supported me a lot. She is very important to me, so I thank her.
After I moved to the second semester, Raquel said the nursing course was now available at night. I was undecided about which course to choose. I attended a nursing class and liked it but was already quite interested in psychology, so I decided to stay. Facens turned out to be a completely different university. The staff helps me a lot, and the professors are there to assist me. I also liked the building structures and saw they have support for people with disabilities. There's diversity, and that impressed me because not all universities have this kind of support, and I think that's why I liked Facens more.
So, I have to thank Facens for giving me the opportunity to get a scholarship to study."
Testimonial from Edna
"Psychopedagogy is a field of knowledge about the learning process, considering individuals and systems—the family, school, society, and the social, historical, and cultural context." — (Code of Ethics of the Psychopedagogue)
"In 2023, I began working as a psychopedagogue at the Psychopedagogical Support Center (NAP), a space aimed at strengthening students to face challenges that may occur during the teaching-learning process.
Edna Araújo — Pedagogue and Psychopedagogue.
To achieve these objectives and support students on this journey, I needed to broaden my perspective on diversity even further, always considering each person's conditions, needs, and way of learning. I sought strategies that took into account differences in cultural origins, mother tongue, and learning styles, aiming to build paths that promote equity in such a diverse environment.
Developing this work in a higher education institution is challenging and has greatly enriched my personal and professional life. I'm always learning, and to do so, I've found many partners who help me in this process. At Facens, offering opportunities for access, permanence, and quality in higher education has been a task shared by everyone in this space."
