There can be no greater joy than seeing a graduate of an OSF program achieve their dream. I could not be prouder of, or more inspired, by our scholarship recipient in Rio de Janeiro, Gilmara Santos. On December 7^th, 2021, Gilmara and Orphaned Starfish Foundation inaugurated the Conexão G computer center, dedicated to the LGBTQI+ community in Favela Mare, the first ever such center developed in any favela in Brazil. It was a magical day!

Gilmara was one of the Honorees at the Orphaned Starfish Foundation Gala eleven years ago and returned to Brazil inspired and dedicated to helping the children and residents of the favela. She applied for and received an OSF scholarship to study psychology, one of many scholarships provided by OSF to LGBTQI+ graduates across our 29-country network.

She also became a leader in the LGBTQI+ community, not only in her own favela but throughout Rio de Janeiro and Brazil. 

It was Gilmara’s dream to develop a community center for transgender women, such as herself, as well as all LGBTQI+ children and young adults, a safe space to learn and develop employment skills.

The OSF Technology Center at Conexão G will not only be used for basic and advance computing skills training but will also act as a portal for classes in other skills geared towards gaining job skills. In fact, the first class of ten transgender women in gastronomy has been completed and design classes have begun. Full time computer training will begin in the beginning of 2022.

We at OSF are so thankful for Gilmara’s perseverance and dedication to serving others and hope she inspires our other scholarship recipients and students to continue to follow their dreams and passion. It is our honor to provide the tools necessary to help her and others achieve their dreams. 

We are so very thankful to our Orphaned Starfish Foundation supporters for making such a real difference in so many lives around the world.