WHO WE ARE

Vision into Reality

The vision started in 1973 when Carolyn Chase, an Occupational Therapist,  served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Brazil.   Upon completion of her two year commitment,   she delayed her departure to continue to offer therapy for children with disabilities in lieu that no other modern rehabilitation services existed in the City of Aracaju.    As time passed,   she founded a Brazilian organization,   calling it the Rosa Azul,  later renamed Centro de Integração Raio de Sol,  in an effort to solidify treatment for children on a permanent basis.     Fifty one years later, she  continues active as the Chief Administrator of the Center. 

      In 1985 she  founded the Rosa Azul Foundation in California to support the Center in Aracaju,  so that family and friends could participate with donations.     

       Over time the tiny center expanded to offer a variety of health care options to serve  people of ages with physical, intellectual and/or  developmental and sensory disabilities.  In 1990 the center received the donation  of  several acres of land on the outskirts of town, which   became the new home once the first building was finished.   This location was in  close proximity with one of the poorest communities of the City,  which brought new challenges, and new opportunities.    Programs had always been for children with disabilities,  but now it opened its doors to  hundreds of children adding recreation,  arts, music, dance  and sports programs. 

The City of Aracaju  grew to surround the center, and dirt roads were paved giving it easy access to major avenues of the city.  Classrooms,  playrooms ,  therapy rooms, offices, swimming pool,  kitchen and cafeteria,   auditorium, playgrounds  are spread around the five acres,   with gardens and  abundant fruit and shade trees providing a healthy and beautiful environment. 

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The  Brazilian Community in Northeastern Brazil    

         Brazil is the 9th most unequal country in the world,  and the pandemic has raised poverty levels significantly,   with 11.9% of population unemployed.    The Northeastern region , where the Center is located, still lags behind the rest of  the country,  and is known for its vicious cycle of poverty partly due to  unequal distribution of land and income,  poor soils and severe drought.     

However,  it is  also known for its dialects and rich culture,  folklore, cuisine, music and literature as well as its natural environment  (beaches)  and its hot tropical weather. 

 Social needs are urgent and close to everyone,  with  families with disabilities  are even more affected.     The Center serves many of the poor families  who qualify for the minimum wage benefit from the government.  The ripple effect  of poverty shows up constantly in the everyday lives of the people at the Center and the surrounding area.   As part of their social programs,  the Center  has distributed over 5000 food boxes to  needy  families.    

      Health,  education and social assistance is available through  public programs  but all too often inadequate, leaving  the  families are often  stressed by their overwhelming circumstances- the anxiety for their child born with a disability,  the special care needed for family members, extra expenses and the baffling maze to find adequate treatment.   Much emphasis is placed on support and resources for these families,  espeically the women who too often are the only head of the family.