Fifteen years after receiving her high school diploma, Leila Souza decided to attend college to study Psychology. On October 25, she participated in a free preparatory class for the National High School Exam (ENEM), Brazil's university entrance exam. The class was organized by the Adventist Solidarity Action (ASA) and held at the Central Adventist Church of Governador Valadares, located in eastern Minas Gerais. Preparatory classes organized by ASA are held in 250 locations.
For Souza, attending preparatory classes helped her catch up on the material. "I finished high school at 17, and I'm returning to my studies. The content was super important." She highlighted the program's dynamic nature and the teachers' ability to hold her attention.
Program participants reviewed traditional school materials and received guidance on the logic the ENEM exam uses to formulate questions. "We are trying to provide a specific approach to how the exam tests, not just the content, but how the exam board thinks," said Thiago Coelho, one of the ASA's volunteer teachers.
Coelho studied at a public school and, as a student, participated in a community ENEM preparatory course. Years later, he returned to the same program as a teacher.
For Mariana Ramos, ASA's ENEM project creator, seeing students learn attentively during the program was especially rewarding. "My feeling is one of accomplishment and hope that everyone will truly have the opportunity to access higher education and transform their lives through education," she said.
ENEM exams will take place on November 8 and 15 throughout the country. Candidates can use their scores to gain admission to public and private higher education institutions.
Ramos has been a teacher since she was 18 years old. She previously worked at a public university in the finance department. While there, she witnessed the difficulties and joys of students who dreamed of attending higher education.
When she decided to resume her studies, she saw inequality in students' ability to prepare for the ENEM exam. "I could afford an expensive preparatory course with excellent teachers," she said. However, she knew that was not the case for many students in public schools. "It was from this experience that I got the idea to create a free review session for the ENEM exam, offering students an opportunity that many could not afford."
Ramos said the project is especially important to her because of her upbringing. As the daughter of a former domestic worker and locksmith, she attended both public and private schools. She attributes a large portion of her success to her education. "I fought to earn my place. Now, I want to help other students earn theirs."
The original article was published on the South American Division news site.
