2005 PW Global Exchange to Brazil Participant Story

CISM Project

By Sandra Wagenius

In São Paulo we broke up into small groups so that each group could visit a different project. Our group planned a visit to Centro de Integraçao Social do Mulher (CISM), a project that helps prostitutes learn skills to get them off the streets. This was our first venture on the metro system and I was leader. Linnis, our hostess in São Paulo, wrote our directions and accompanied us, so I knew if we made a mistake, we wouldn't be the group "who never returned."

CISM is a short walk from the Metro, so we were able to find it readily. We announced our arrival by ringing a bell located high up on a doorframe. We were disappointed to learn that the women who are served by the project were not in that day, but we were glad to learn that they were attending a meeting on how to market and sell their wares, an opportunity that would benefit them greatly.

The structure of the project is made up of a coordinator, three educators and one social worker. Initially, the women learn to sew and produce products they can sell. Earning an income generates motivation among the women. The advanced participants are the ones involved in that part of the project. The mayor supports this project, we were told.

A woman named Renata showed us the therapy room where we learned of activities designed to educate the women about health and production of sellable items. A therapist works with the women using a mock-up of female organs to show how to use protection. A designer works with the group, training them to make clothing. Women make their own dress patterns by looking at a dress they admire from pictures and magazines. They draw the various pieces on heavy paper, forming the pattern. Leftover fabric scraps are used to make chair covers.

We visited the sewing rooms. Three groups use this area. The advanced group comes in once a week to make items for sale. Members of this group have their own machines at home, so they do not come in as often. They make placemats for the North American market of permanent press materials because "Americans don't have time to iron." The money that is earned from the sale of these products is used toward the purchase of their sewing machines. The women have a contract to make the placemats and earn 50 percent of the selling price.

A separate room is designated for beginners who use simpler machines. Material hangs on the walls—samples of macramé, embroidery and samples of various stitches. The women use donated scraps and remnants to make decorations.

Another room is used for crafts. In it hang a banner and photos of works made at home. There are four looms of various sizes located there. The women are innovative and make lovely products. In a nearby room, women learn hair removal (for those wearing the ever-present bikini) and manicuring. Besides the current training, CISM hopes to expand their programs to provide prenatal services.

The facility serves two groups of 16 women. Some stay all day. They have lunch outside of the project using discount tickets, but they take breaks within the facility. There is a small kitchen on the grounds. Administrators hope to enlarge this to teach cooking. The yard has fruit trees, berries and a small garden plot. Hanging geraniums decorate the outside wall. The wall of a small courtyard outside has broken bottles at the top for security.

Joann, the coordinator of the project, indicated that there will be changes. Now, the women served are prostitutes, those living in the street. This is the target population. One day, the project hopes to serve victims of domestic violence, as well.

The staff performs two kinds of work: street and on-site. Two educators go out together and invite women to the project. They give out condoms as a way to reach out and educate. Pimps depend on the prostitutes for income, so it is difficult to get the women to come to the project center. The educators talk about health care and expose the women to opportunities available at the center. The women come for art classes and health classes. They can participate in classes on baking, patchwork and weaving, as well as sexuality, gender and reproduction. They can choose two classes; this decision is dependent upon bus passes. Some women come because of the outreach by the educators; some are motivated by the women already participating. Many of the women learn so they can leave the streets and take care of themselves, but others continue to work as prostitutes, using their new skills to supplement what they earn on the street. The educators also arrange for courses to be taught by community sources. For example, a woman in the project may be trained by an upscale hotel that has hired her. Women also learn to promote and sell their items in local fairs.

We saw a woman who has mental health problems and is not able to benefit directly from the project's offerings. It was apparent that she feels comfortable in the facility and that the project provides a safe place for her to come. It would have been wonderful to observe the women working at their various areas of interest, but it was obvious that this project meets a critical need in a constructive and practical way.