About Kolibri
We are a non-profit social organization which has been operating for more than 30 years. We provide support for children, adolescents and youngsters between 6 and 18 years old who are in vulnerable situations, as well as their families.
In 1993, Gregory John Smith (photo) started helping approximately 40 girls and boys who were living in the streets in São Paulo’s city-center. He gave them shelter on the banks of the Billings Dam in Diadema.
Since our beginning nearly three decades ago we have been investing in social projects and programs of a preventive character by providing support the community directly and indirectly; through the children and adolescents, and their families.
TThe social work is offered through our network of three community centers which are located in Diadema in the outskirts of São Paulo.
Our story
In 1993, Gregory John Smith (photo) started helping approximately 40 girls and boys who were living in the streets in São Paulo’s city-center. He gave them shelter on the banks of the Billings Dam in Diadema.
Since our beginning nearly three decades ago we have been investing in social projects and programs of a preventive character by providing support the community directly and indirectly; through the children and adolescents, and their families.
TThe social work is offered through our network of three community centers which are located in Diadema in the outskirts of São Paulo.
Our commitment
Our mission
- Promote the social well-being and development of children and young people in situations of socioeconomic vulnerability through autonomy, professionalization and citizenship.
Our vision
- To become a reference institution in social assistance work for children and young people living in areas of social vulnerability.
Our values
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Transparency: we make sure our information is clear and available for all;
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Equity: we embrance differences in order to achieve equal rights;
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Creativity: everything we do has an expectation and an objective to please those who see, hear or receive;
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Positivity: we believe that every day is a new opportunity to do more and better;
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Empowerment: we work hard so that each person acquire their individual emancipation as well as collective consciousness, helping each person to becoming the protagonist of their own life;
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Ethics: we will always act for the truth and respect for work, personal relationships as well as professionals;
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Excellence: we do small and large actions with the same dedication and quality.
Strategic partner: CARF
Kolibri was implemented thanks to the Children At Risk Foundation -(CARF), an international foundation with its headquarters in Bergen, Norway. Its objective is to sign partnership with companies, schools, private individuals, to make the Kolibri’s social projects in Brazil possible.
In the photo, CARF’s team: Pernille Fjørtoft Grøsvik (Communications and Marketing manager) Peter Munck (Managing Director) and Natalia Marques (Accounting).
Strategic partner: CARF
Kolibri was implemented thanks to the Children At Risk Foundation -(CARF), an international foundation with its headquarters in Bergen, Norway. Its objective is to sign partnership with companies, schools, private individuals, to make the Kolibri’s social projects in Brazil possible.
In the photo, CARF’s team: Pernille Fjørtoft Grøsvik (Communications and Marketing manager) Peter Munck (Managing Director) and Natalia Marques (Accounting).
Certifications and awards
Municipal Public Utility
State Public Utility
Social Technology award 2015
World of Children Award 2014
Culture and Health Award 2010
Fellow da Ashoka
Given to Kolibri’s founder, Gregory J. Smith.
Our team
Board
Ana Leticia Ferreira
President
With a degree in Economics from Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado – FAAP, Ana Letícia Ferreira is Business Controller at Mentor Media, a company in the Elanders group. She has worked at the Swedish-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and the Swedish Board of Trade. Before taking on the role of president of the Rede Cultural Beija-Flor, she volunteered at the institution as treasurer.
Sven Blikstad
Vice President
With a degree in Economics from the University of Campinas – UNICAMP, Sven Magnus Blikstad worked as a financial market executive at the Bank of Boston (Brazil and the United States), was credit director for Latin America (Brazil and Mexico) and president of the Scandinavian Association in São Paulo. He currently volunteers at the Rede Cultural Beija-Flor as vice-president.
Juliana Meyer Gottardi
Treasurer Director
Graduated in Law from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná – PUC-PR (1999) and has an MBA in Corporate and Economic Law from the Fundação Getúlio Vargas – FGV (2002). She is Norway’s honorary consul general in São Paulo, legal director of the Swedish-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce and director of the Norwegian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. She served as president of the RCBF between 2018 and 2023.
Francisco A. R. Filho
Fiscal Council
Graduated in Business Administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUCCAMP) and in Retail Marketing from the Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM). Board member of the Swedish-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce. Works as Financial Administrative Director at Gunnebo Industries and has worked as Business Unit Director and Controllership Manager at companies such as Fnac Brasil and Robert Bosch Brasil.
Luiz Aleixo Fonseca
Fiscal Council
Graduated in Accounting from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo – PUC SP (1989), MBA in Decision Technology from Faculdades Integradas de São Paulo (2004). He is currently Financial Manager at Casa do Pequeno Cidadão Nossa Senhora Aparecida.
Edgard Pitta
Fiscal Council
Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Catholic University of Salvador (1992), MBA in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management (2002), Master’s degree in Integrated Management of Institutions from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo – PUC SP (2015). He works as an ESG (Corporate Governance and Diversity and Inclusion) consultant. He is a guest lecturer in the advanced management programs at Fundação Dom Cabral.
Administration
Ivone Silva
Executive Director
Operations
Lígia Vicente
Pedagogical Coordinator
Taiana Moreira
Social Service Coordinator
Noé Mota
Administrative Coordinator
Rodrigo de Brito
Communication Coordinator