City Hall delivers the Early Childhood Carioca Card to families in seven neighborhoods in the West Zone.

There will be 558 cards for beneficiaries in Bangu, Senador Camará, Realengo, Vila Militar, Padre Miguel, Vila Kennedy, and Deodoro. PHOTO: Luiza Almeida / SMAS

The Rio de Janeiro City Hall, through the Municipal Secretariat of Social Assistance (SMAS), held another distribution of the Early Childhood Carioca Card this Thursday (the 7th), at Cassino Bangu. In this action of the second stage of distribution of the benefit, 558 cards are planned for beneficiaries from Bangu, Senador Camará, Realengo, Vila Militar, Padre Miguel, Vila Kennedy and Deodoro, all in the West Zone of the city.

The Rio Early Childhood Card is part of the Little Cariocas Program, launched by the Rio de Janeiro City Hall in October, on Children's Day, at the Vila Olímpica da Maré. The initiative aims to guarantee food security for children aged 0 to 4 years.

The program is a multidisciplinary protection network focused on the comprehensive development of children in situations of social vulnerability in the city of Rio de Janeiro. It brings together actions and services in the areas of health, education, social assistance, culture, and protection against violence, allowing children to have access to basic care from their earliest years.

The benefit, worth R$ 200 per month, is accepted in more than 1.500 establishments in the city.

"I am very happy to have each of you here. This project was designed for you, mothers of children aged 0 to 4 years. It is during this phase that the brain and cognitive development of the child are forming. Therefore, it is very important that they are well-nourished. This will make a big difference in the future," said the Municipal Secretary of Social Assistance, Augusto Ribeiro.

Delivery at two different times

The distribution at Cassino Bangu took place at two times: from 8 am to 10 am and from 11 am to 13 pm. Beneficiaries from these seven neighborhoods received messages from SMAS informing them of the location and day of distribution, as they met the prerequisites for the benefit: being registered in the Cadastro Único (Single Registry), but not receiving Bolsa Família (Family Allowance); having at least one child aged 0 to 4 years; and having a monthly family income of up to R$ 218 per person.

Giselle Santos dos Passos, 36, a resident of Bangu, is facing difficulties finding employment because she has no one to leave her youngest son, Fillipi, who is 10 months old, with. She has already made a financial plan to better utilize the Rio de Janeiro Early Childhood Card.

"I plan to spend R$ 50 a week to buy vegetables, greens, and fruits. My youngest son really likes avocado!" revealed Giselle, who is also the mother of 5-year-old Gusttavo, a full-time student.