Fight for Peace’s Employability Pillar aims to open doors and facilitate the route into the world of work. Michele da Silva is one of those who has made huge strides into employment, with support from Fight for Peace (Luta pela Paz) in Rio de Janeiro.
Michelle hails from the local community of Complexo da Maré where the Fight for Peace Rio Academy is based. She sought out the Fight for Peace Employability team, who work to match up people for the local community with job opportunities, as part of her quest to gain employment.
The team provided a package of support that Michele hadn’t found elsewhere. This included financial support for transport to and from interviews, and tips on how to excel in selection processes and reference letters. Through this support, she was able to secure her first formal employment.
Just as it was for many others, the COVID-19 pandemic was a difficult time for Michele and led to her becoming unemployed. However, it was in this period that the team at Fight for Peace got in touch with her regarding a vacancy in the operations department of the organisation.
Having been successful in getting the vacancy, Michele began a new experience of working just five minutes away from her house. Living this close to her work brings lots of benefits, including the amount of time she can spend with her children, who also attend activities at Fight for Peace.
“I love the fact that my children are part of such a serious organisation, and knowing that they are so well looked after”, says Michelle. “Working here, I am able to see from close up their development. It’s really great to see an organisation offer tools to occupy children’s minds.”
Being an essential part of the team of staff at Fight for Peace, Michele gives her all in looking after the wellbeing of colleagues and young people at the organisation. “I love working here and I am really proud of what I do. I look after everything as if it were my home.”
Michele’s story is part of a series called #LutaWomen which explores the lives of inspiring women at Fight for Peace. Keep a lookout here on our website for more #LutaWomen stories dropping soon.
This article was originally featured on the website of Fight for Peace’s sister organisation Luta pela Paz (lutapelapaz.org). Fight for Peace and Luta pela Paz share methodology, values and global strategy but are two separate legal entities. Luta pela Paz was founded in 2000 and Fight for Peace International in 2010. Luta pela Paz is a non-profit NGO registered in Brazil (CNPJ 09300383000198),and Fight for Peace International is a UK registered charity (registered charity no. 1137636).