The work of Instituto Dara is nationally and internationally recognized, as evidenced by the dozens of honors received in more than three decades of operation.
‘Bem Eficiente’ (High Efficient) Award – Awarded to 50 non-profit institutions by Kanitz & Associates
1999
Tiradentes Medal – awarded by the Legislative Assembly to relevant works in the social area in Rio de Janeiro
1998
Beija-Flor Trophy – awarded to 10 volunteers by the Rio Volunteer and Solidarity Community programs
1997
50th Sesi Anniversary Medal – Awarded to citizens actually engaged in social works in Rio de Janeiro
1996
Sesc Medal – Woman of the Year
TESTIMONIALS
Check out what some world-leading personalities say about the work of Instituto Dara.
Muhammad Yunus
Nobel Peace Prize 2006
“Instituto Dara has created a powerful social methodology for the inclusion of the poorest.”
Herbert de Souza (Betinho)
Sociologist and leader of ‘Ação da Cidadania contra a Miséria e Pela Vida’ (Citizenship Action against Poverty and For Life)
“I believe that experiences like these and the support they receive allow us to begin serving, rebuilding and creating a new relationship between ourselves and a new society.”
Ursula Zindel
Founder of Ursula Zindel-Hilti Foundation
“The Ursula Zindel-Hilti Foundation is proud to be a partner of Instituto Dara since 2007. Throughout these years, the visionary Vera Cordeiro and her team have helped thousands of families by applying a very precise methodology.
It is not about alleviating children's acute health problems. Improving the living conditions of families and promoting their self-sufficiency are key to the success of this project. Statistics and testimonies prove the effectiveness of the Institute. For us, the most visible proof of the Institute's success are the smiles of the people who—thanks to the professional support of Instituto Dara—now have a better chance of a better future.”
Bill Drayton
Social Entrepreneur and Ashoka CEO & Chair
“Instituto Dara is an extraordinary work in a scenario which includes affection and entrepreneurship. This is the part of the world to which truly excellent social entrepreneurs belong. No one can stop Instituto Dara and Vera Cordeiro: they care so much.”
Graça Machel
Human rights activist and widow of Nelson Mandela
“This is the most complete model in the field of health that I have seen in the world. Instituto Dara has changed the way I thought about health.”
Armínio Fraga Neto
Economist, former President of the Central Bank of Brazil and member of Dara’s Advisory Board
“Having a heart and trying to do something for the poor is not enough. What has kept me involved with Instituto Dara for many years is my absolute belief in their competence and seriousness. And Dara knows how to do it in a scalable way, anywhere, since it is not local. It is really global.”
David Bornstein
Journalist and author of the book ‘How to Change the World’
“Instituto Dara is a social technology. It is powerful, life-saving like no other current technology in health or healing. Dara has shown that many of the root causes of diseases can be effectively and systematically tackled in impoverished communities, reducing hospitalization rates and alleviating the suffering of the families and doctors involved. The Institute is not only ethical and humanitarian - it is a global leader for advancing health with necessary integrity and prevention around the world.”
Ruth Cardoso
First Lady of Brazil from 1994 to 2002
“Everything that the solidarity community aims to be, preaches and hopes to find support in society is carried out at Instituto Dara.”
Laura Bergh
Principal facilitator of the Greenlight Movement
“The ‘Family Action Plan’ social methodology, a pioneer in the world in the fight against poverty, was developed by Vera Cordeiro, a Brazilian social entrepreneur and a doctor, and the team at Saúde Criança (now Instituto Dara).”
Sally Osberg
Executive Director of the Skoll Foundation
“Saúde Criança (now Instituto Dara) is not only a good idea. It is an extraordinary approach to healthcare transformation. We believe in high impact and evidence to prove it. The Institute has both. It not only treats symptoms – it goes right into the root causes of diseases. Those assisted at Saúde Criança have a 60% drop in hospitalization days and the families' revenue increases, on average, by 35%. That's what it takes to change the trajectory in health care for the people who need medical treatment the most. With Saúde Criança, we believe that the possibilities are limitless.”
Dra. Yolanda Ogbolu
Dean and Professor, School of Nursing, University of Maryland
“I believe that experiences such as this and the support of these experiences that will help us reconstruct a new relationship with society.”
