Maranhão

25/07/25

On May 30, the Literacy Rails project launched the almanac “Circo Esperançar, uma viagem pelo Maranhão (Esperançar Circus, a journey through Maranhão)“. The event, held at Vale’s Botanical Park, in São Luís, was attended by representatives of the municipal departments of education, students and the cartoonist and illustrator Claudius Ceccon, responsible for the illustrations of the material.   

Aimed at students in the 4th and 5th grades of Elementary School, the material invites readers to embark on a playful journey through the five regions of Maranhão. The narrative is driven by characters who celebrate the diversity and cultural richness of Maranhão, promoting regional identities.  

Developed in accordance with the National Common Curricular Base (BNCC) and the Curricular Documents of the Maranhão territory (DCTM), the Circo Esperançar, uma viagem pelo Maranhão will have more than 30,000 copies distributed. Created from listening to the students of the Literacy Trails Project, the almanac is a construction of their interests, realities, cultures, and readings of the world. With a creative approach inspired by the cheerful and playful universe of the circus, the material contributes to the development of skills and abilities foreseen in the school curriculum.  

About the Literacy Trails   

The project contributes to the full literacy of students from public schools located in the areas where Vale operates, with the training of educators, managers, technical teams, and distribution of pedagogical materials. In Maranhão, it involves 23 municipalities in partnership with the Multimodal Intermunicipal Consortium (CIM), the State Government and the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (FGV). The Literacy Rails also takes place in Pará, with eight municipalities and support from Wheaton Precious Metals, and BNDES. Trails are also implemented in Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro, Catas Altas, Rio Piracicaba, and Santa Bárbara, in Minas Gerais, in partnership with Roda Educativa and local city halls.