Lindinalva de Jesus

Brazilian social entrepreneur empowering marginalized communities through education and healthcare

Lindinalva de Jesus is a Brazilian educator and founder of Escola da Vida ('School of Life'), an NGO providing education, healthcare, and vocational training to children in Rio de Janeiro's favelas. Born in a low-income family herself, de Jesus witnessed firsthand the systemic barriers facing marginalized youth. Her school combines academic education with life skills workshops, reaching over 15,000 students since its 2003 inception. The program's 'Health Bus' mobile clinic provides free medical services to 2,000+ residents annually. De Jesus pioneered the 'Education as Liberation' model, integrating arts and technology into curricula to foster critical thinking. Her partnership with UNICEF expanded access to digital literacy programs, preparing students for Brazil's growing tech sector. In 2019, de Jesus launched the 'Women Empowerment Network', training 500+ women in leadership and entrepreneurship. Her TED Talk Breaking cycles of poverty through education emphasizes holistic development. Recognized by Ashoka Foundation as a Changemaker (2020), her work aligns with SDGs 3 (Good Health), 4 (Quality Education), and 5 (Gender Equality). The documentary Voices of the Favelas chronicles her initiatives' impact. De Jesus' approach demonstrates how localized solutions can address systemic inequalities in Brazil's urban areas.