Last Tuesday (5), a group of 32 students from the social project Ombro a Ombro, developed by Flamengo's Social Responsibility Department in partnership with the NGO Aldeias Infantis, had the unique opportunity to explore behind the scenes at Braziline, the company that holds the clothing licensing for Flamengo and other sports clubs in Brazil. The visit provided the students of the social project with an immersion in the world of clothing manufacturing, learning about all the stages of production and expanding their horizons in sewing.

Combining professional training and income generation, the "Ombro a Ombro" project launched in 2022 and serves 60 women with professional sewing training. Classes are held in Itanhangá, in Rio's West Zone, offering Brazilian and refugee women living in Morro do Banco, Tijuquinha, Muzema, and the surrounding area the opportunity to learn the craft of sewing, promoting empowerment and financial independence. Many students are already generating income from the project, either through entrepreneurship or through entering the formal job market through hiring by clothing manufacturers in the Petrópolis region.

The visit to Braziline began with a warm welcome from the company's management. The students were guided through the different aspects of the garment factory, from design and fabric cutting to large-scale production and quality control.

"It's been wonderful to see a real sewing factory, with all this production! Our students are so excited. Everything I tell them in class, they're listening to here. Sewing is practical. You have to practice constantly! We, from the Ombro a Ombro project, are very grateful," said Laura, Ombro a Ombro's sewing and cutting teacher. 

"It was a unique experience to see how the factory works, how the fabric is cut, how the Flamengo jersey is designed. We think it's a simple thing, but there's a whole process full of details. It was a wonderful experience! I just have to thank Flamengo for the opportunity for each of us to be here and see this factory," said Rosana, an Ombro a Ombro student.

During the visit, the women had the opportunity to interact with experienced professionals, asking questions and gaining valuable insights. Direct interaction with Braziline's Human Resources manager allowed the students to glimpse the diverse career opportunities available in the textile industry.

"We were incredibly happy to welcome the students of Ombro a Ombro, a project so relevant to society, to the factory. Braziline firmly believes in the transformative power of private companies involved in social causes, so we greatly admire the project. Welcoming the students here, being able to show them our routine, our history, how Braziline has evolved over these 38 years, and how the partnership with Flamengo came about, is very gratifying. Seeing the joy in their eyes, their curiosity, and their engagement with the project, with their dreams and goal of establishing themselves in the country was something that greatly motivated not only the students, but also our employees," said Bruna Gonçalves, Marketing Supervisor at Braziline.

During the visit, the students were presented with Flamengo jerseys produced by Braziline, a special incentive to continue pursuing their dreams and honing their skills. The visit culminated with visits to the Imperial Museum and Quitandinha Palace in Petrópolis, where they took photos and enjoyed a guided tour.

"I loved the whole tour. It was great! I'd never been to this place before. We were warmly welcomed, the people were very nice, I loved seeing the factory and now this tour. Everything was great. A tour I'd never had before," said Francisca, a student on the project.