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Belo Vale rural community gathers about 300 residents in a routine based on collective efforts, agricultural production, central kitchen, own school, sewing, local culture, and family support in the mountains of Minas Gerais
About 300 residents of Noiva do Cordeiro, in Belo Vale, maintain a rural community in Minas Gerais organized by collective efforts, mutual support, and collective work, with farming, a central kitchen, sewing, its own school, and a strong community life.
Organization born from daily coexistence
Amidst the mountains of Minas Gerais, Noiva do Cordeiro has built its own way of life over generations.
The local organization does not depend on formal positions, rigid rules, or corporate structures to function.
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The community relies on respect, trust, collaboration, and freedom for each person to find their role according to their skills.
This routine solidified after the end of the church that marked the initial formation of the group.
The name Noiva do Cordeiro came from the church founded by Anísio Pereira, whom Delina Fernandes married when she was young.
The institution lasted about 40 years, had branches in other cities in Minas Gerais, and influenced local history.
Today, Delina, at 81 years old, is the main emotional and community reference for the residents. Her house functions as a meeting point, where food, conversations, and daily decisions naturally intertwine.
The farm is the heart of the community
Farming plays a central role in Noiva do Cordeiro. In an area of 56 hectares, residents plant vegetables, legumes, coffee, bananas, tangerines, avocados, yams, parsley, onions, carrots, and eucalyptus.
Part of the production supplies the community itself. Another part is sold to municipal schools in Belo Vale and Piedade das Gerais, as well as the weekly fair held in Belo Horizonte, at Praça da Assembleia Legislativa.
When there is a harvest or urgent care needed for a crop, residents organize themselves via a WhatsApp group. On days of higher demand, collective efforts gather 10 to 15 people.
On a daily basis, the work usually involves between 5 and 10 residents. Production also connects to the National School Feeding Program, which allocates part of the school feeding resources to family farming.
Sewing, school, and family support
In addition to farming, the community maintains the Noiva do Cordeiro Rural Development Association, a sewing factory, a private school, and other collective workspaces.
The factory started with simple machines and today produces items in partnership with a pet product company from Belo Horizonte. Costumes, rugs, and clothes for personal use and sale are also made.
Next to the atelier, residents have a banking post and a small store with everyday items.
Each area has natural leaders, formed by the experience and dedication of those who have taken on roles over time.
Education follows the same community logic. Most children and young people study at the Maria Senhorinha de Lima School, maintained by the community, with no tuition fees.
The distance of about 15 kilometers to the center of Belo Vale motivated the creation of its own school, regulated and sustained by volunteer work. A new headquarters is being built by the residents themselves.
Central kitchen and care network
The support network is one of the foundations of Noiva do Cordeiro. Women with small children receive help to care for the children while they work on other community activities.
To strengthen this care, Ceama, the Center for Support to Rural Women, was created, operating within the community itself. The proposal reinforces the division of tasks and support among families.
The central kitchen also sustains this routine. Meals are prepared in large quantities, with food from local farming and livestock, such as chickens, pigs, cattle, eggs, and vegetables.
Culture, welcome, and recognition
Culture occupies an important space in community life. Theater involves children, youth, and adults in collective reflections, including on delicate topics.
Music appears at Viola Saturday, a weekly celebration with local artists, regional guests, Minas Gerais food, and performances. The duo Márcia and Maciel and artist Keila Gaga were born in this environment.
Even with religious origins, Noiva do Cordeiro does not follow a single religion today. Faith is lived personally, without intermediaries.
Until 2006, the community faced isolation, rumors, and prejudice. Afterward, it became recognized for its self-organization, the strength of its women, collective efforts (mutirão), and rural life based on collectivity.
With information from Treem.com.
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