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Elderly Carmelindo Freitas, a Resident of Costa da Miraguaia (RS), Graduated in History at 89 Years Old. From the Farm to Mobral, from Studying at Home to Taking Exams at Colégio Santa Terezinha, He Fulfilled a Long-held Dream and Still Plans to Release a New Book.
From the fields to the notebook, Elderly Man Fulfills Dream and Graduates in History! A Dream Held for Decades and Finally Taken Off the Shelf! Some people look at age and see a “limit.” Carmelindo Freitas looked at his 89 years and saw “time to fulfill a promise.” A resident of Costa da Miraguaia, in Rio Grande do Sul, he graduated in History and stamped his greatest wish in the diploma — the one that had been shelved since youth due to a lack of resources and a trajectory filled with hard work.
And it wasn’t automatic “clap clap.” He had to hear comments that would discourage many people. In his words: “When I said I was going to college, some supported me, others asked what I wanted with that”. Still, he stayed determined.
“I’m Turning 90 in March” and Gratitude Came Along
With family nearby and a support network that he never forgot, Carmelindo celebrated the achievement while already thinking about his next birthday.
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In an interview with Rádio Itapuí, he summed up his feelings simply: “I’m turning 90 now in March, and I’m very grateful for the people who supported me to get here”.
If you want to see Carmelindo himself telling this journey, the broadcaster also published the content of the program in video, watch below!
From the Farm to the Notebook: The Path Was Long
His story begins far from air-conditioned classrooms and libraries. Carmelindo grew up in the fields, in Costa da Miraguaia, and his childhood was marked by difficulties in accessing education.
In his youth, he wanted to pursue a military career, but the lack of resources changed his path. That’s when he decided to shift gears: “I turned my mind back to studying”, as he recalled.
After years of working in the fields, he entered Mobral (Brazilian Literacy Movement) and resumed his studies. This program was legally established in the 1960s — including provided for in Law No. 5,379/1967.
Teachers Who Became “Turning Points”
The push continued when he attended classes at the Museu Caldas Júnior in Santo Antônio da Patrulha (RS). There, he encountered educators whom he cites as fundamental.
One of them was Professor Paulinha Reinaldo, about whom he said: “She opened up a range of knowledge for me” (statement given in an interview with Rádio Itapuí).
Next came Professor Josélia, who helped Carmelindo write his first book. According to him, the mentor was a key piece in building his life as a writer.
Pandemic, Study at Home, and Exams “Wherever Possible”
When the pandemic suspended in-person classes, he didn’t put down the books. He maintained a reading routine and kept studying at home.
The exams took place at Colégio Santa Terezinha and, on some occasions, also at his son’s house in Gravataí, with the help of his daughter-in-law, who acted as a tutor. In other words: if the path changed, the discipline remained.
In the end, when he received the diploma, Carmelindo defined the moment as the “full realization of a desire held for decades”.
A Direct Message for Those Considering Giving Up
Even with health problems, he doesn’t talk about stopping. Carmelindo shared that he is already working on a new book and continues to observe daily life to turn into stories. He explained what he likes to portray: “I write about people, about the talent each one has, even the simplest ones”.
In the same interview, he left an unambiguous message for those facing difficulties in studying:
“To all people — the elderly, adults, and children — study. Don’t give up in the face of any obstacle. Brazil will be a great country if people study”, he concluded.
His Story Became an Inspiration for Millions of Brazilians
Carmelindo’s case carries even more weight in a rapidly aging Brazil. According to data released based on PNAD Continuous, the share of elderly people (60+) grew from 11.3% (2012) to 16.1% (2024).
In other words: having people over 80 years old occupying spaces of learning and achievement is not a “folkloric exception” — it is part of a real demographic shift. And his story, told from the south of Brazil, shows how education and perseverance can go hand in hand at any stage of life.
Did you enjoy this story? Leave a comment with your opinion — or share this publication with someone who needs encouragement to go back to studying.
Sou natural de Santo Antônio da Patrulha, filho de agricultor, não conheço o Sr. Carmelindo, fico orgulhoso por ver meu conterrâneo, com idade tão elevada, conquistar o título de Grau Superior. Sei o quanto é difícil ser agricultor, trabalhar e estudar. Sou formado em Administração pública e Privada e conclui o curso em 1998, aos 48 anos de idade.
Parabéns Sr. Carmelino!! Que exemplo!!
E agora serve pra que? A mesma coisa de ficar milionário com dinheiro sem vida não sabemos quando vamos embora mas temos uma ideia a onde vamos