Ações sociais para transformações socioambientais na comunidade Sonho Meu, Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil

Abstract

The present work has as general objective to understand how social actions geared to social and environmental transformations in an urban community cause impact and changes in the environmental and social scenario of this community. For that, the Sonho Meu community was chosen as object of study, between the Imbiribeira and Boa Viagem Districts, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. This community has about 600 people, representing an area of social invisibility, characterized by ill-treatment of the environment. For the sake of better understanding and theoretical enrichment of the subject, we sought to understand four issues that are considered fundamental: sustainable development, environmental education, the importance of green areas and the relationship between environment and poverty. As methodological procedures, we have: a) community recognition through visits, meetings with the leadership of the residents' association, identification of other social actors; B) survey of secondary data mainly by means of records from the Health Unit Coqueiral; C) survey of primary data through informal and unstructured interviews, direct and systematic observation, and direct involvement of residents with periodic meetings with social actors; D) survey of the main socio-environmental problems of the community; E) Workshops with interdisciplinary themes in religious institutions of the community. Several socio-educational actions were carried out with the presence of several local actors, with the purpose of analyzing socio-environmental transformation. Among these actions are: a) educational lectures for various community actors on the importance of preserving the environment; For health workers in order to qualify them; With mothers on environmental issues, as well as awareness of soil management and occupation in order to minimize and recover degraded areas by improper disposal of solid waste; A talk for churches around the community about social responsibility; B) recreational workshops; C) school reinforcement classes; D) complementary activities to the classes (citizenship, environment and others); E) environmental education workshops in order to awaken children about caring for the environment; F) practices regarding care for the environment: field trips and walks in the neighborhood with the presence of children, residents, members of participating institutions (World Vision Organization, members of local associations and members of schools and churches). It should be emphasized that such activities were carried out for the community and the community in order to develop the awareness and commitment of all those involved in the community. There were also specific actions such as a) garbage collection involving community residents and members of the institutions participating in the project; B) distribution of preventive material against diseases transmitted by mosquitoes (mosquito nets and repellents) and c) educational approach with residents - door to door - with the purpose to raise awareness about the prevention of these diseases / environmental education. It is concluded that socio-environmental actions developed in poor communities can impact on a transformation of the reality of a community. These actions, in general, alone and, in most cases, integrated, have generated impacts of the most diverse in the community. These impacts, of diverse areas and scope, bring in the medium term great social, environmental and economic benefits, since some actions impact on the personal and familiar capacity to generate income and to have a higher quality in education, including formal education. It is believed that this work will contribute to the experience of the Sonho Meu Community, as well as serve as a model for action for other communities of the same size.