Delivery of equipment, including a biodigester and solar panels, took place on Wednesday. The Brazilian Government project is supported by Itaipu and is one of the Brazilian public policies presented at COP30.
The Brazilian Government delivered on Wednesday (12th) in Ananindeua (metropolitan region of Belém) the revitalization and equipment of the Mãos de Mulheres Sustainable Community Kitchen. The project, which had already been providing meals to people living in extreme poverty, will now operate with new equipment, including solar panels and a biodigester that converts organic waste into biogas, replacing cooking gas.
The upgrades include industrial kitchen equipment, appropriate spaces for food storage and community service, as well as a library and space for courses. The addition of solar panels will reduce energy costs, freeing up more resources for the project’s core activities. Another key innovation is the biodigester, which not only produces biogas but also generates biofertilizer for the community garden.
“We usually say that we do not feed just the body. The proposal of the community kitchen has never been only to provide food, but to involve the people in the garden and in awareness activities about nutrition that can improve the lives of those served. Many of them have already improved their lives and created opportunities for others to benefit,” explained Lenina Pinheiro Aragão, leader of the Mãos de Mulheres kitchen.
Mãos de Mulheres is part of the Brazilian Government’s sustainable kitchen program, which selected seven units across the country to be pilot projects for this initiative, with potential for replication in other locations.
Present at the handover, the First Lady of Brazil and special envoy for women to COP30, highlighted that this is a social technology born out of the need to face the harsh reality of peripheral communities during the pandemic, which evolved into a public policy of the Brazilian government.
“Today, these kitchens are supported by the Ministries of Social Development and Assistance, Mines and Energy, and the General Secretariat of the Presidency, a project we built in partnership with social movements, resulting in the Sustainable Community Kitchens. Besides providing food, they deliver care, solidarity, and sustainability,” stated Janja.
The Ananindeua kitchen received public investments totaling R$ 443,000, with approximately R$ 270,000 from Itaipu for renovations (through an agreement with Cáritas Brasileira) and the donation of an electric vehicle to support the kitchen’s activities. Private investments total R$ 161,000, including R$ 76,200 from Abiogás for the installation of the biodigester and R$ 85,000 from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for industrial kitchen equipment.
The initiative connects two fundamental themes of the sustainability agenda: hunger relief and energy transition (replacing fossil fuels with renewable sources). In addition, the project also addresses gender equity by promoting better working conditions in an initiative predominantly run by women. “At Itaipu, promoting sustainable development is part of the company’s mission, and this is an initiative fully aligned with our objectives and with our commitment alongside the Brazilian Government to build a fairer and more balanced country,” said Brazilian Director-General Enio Verri.
In addition to Janja and Enio, the ceremony was attended by the Minister of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger, Wellington Dias; Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira; and Minister of the General Secretariat of the Presidency, Guilherme Boulos.
They highlighted the importance of partnerships for consolidating the project and the symbolism of the inauguration during COP30. “It shows that the dream, the vision of a Climate Conference with meaningful civil society participation, is truly possible. Here, we see a partnership between the federal government, Itaipu, social movements, and other partners coming together in a practical initiative of clean, renewable energy and circular economy, one that will make these women’s lives easier,” stated Wellington Dias.
History
The Mãos de Mulheres Community Kitchen emerged during the pandemic, led by Lenina and with the participation of volunteers delivering baskets of family farm products. Since many of the beneficiaries did not have access to gas, the project shifted to preparing meals, still in a home kitchen, at Lenina’s parents’ house.
The initiative attracted the interest of the church, and Deacon Manoel Rocha Silva provided the Community Center located in the Curuçambá neighborhood to host the project. Today, the site delivers five thousand meals per month. With the renovation and new equipment, the expectation is to expand this reach. “But the greatest benefit is the improved quality of life, thanks to better working conditions for the volunteers,” added Lenina.
