São Paulo, 24th of March 2015 – Klabin, Brazil’s biggest paper manufacturer and exporter, in partnership with the NGO United Way Brasil and the Avisa La Institute, has developed the Read to Grow Project, the purpose of which is to encourage children of up to six years to read in the classroom. The initiative involves training teaching professionals, the donation of reading corners and a workshop for parents, students and volunteers. In all, eight municipalities will be benefited by the initiative: Otacilio Costa (SC), Correia Pinto (SC), Lages (SC), São Leopoldo (RS), Feira de Santana (BA), Goiana (PE), Betim (MG) and Jundiai (SP). It is expected that 1.5 thousand children will be covered by the project, which will already be running in March in all of the municipalities involved.

The Read to Grow Project is split up into three phases. The first, with a focus on training, took place during the second half of 2014 and was run by the Avisa La Institute. Responsible for preparing professionals from the primary school network (technicians from the Secretary of Education, directors, pedagogical coordinators and teachers), the institute trained over 200 professionals in the topic of reading in a virtual environment.

The second phase entailed the donation of Reading Corners. One school in each one of the eight municipalities, which are participating in the project, was presented with a stand of 450 books in the classroom. The Avisa La Institute identified this collection as the best of childhood literature. To conclude the initiative, a Workshop on Story-telling for the volunteers of Terra Viva (Klabin), parents and students was offered by United Way.

Klabin is already planning to take this project to other towns of Parana, São Paulo and Santa Catarina in 2015.

About Klabin

Klabin, Brazil’s biggest paper manufacturer and exporter, produces corrugated packaging, industrial sacks and timber in logs. Founded in 1899, it currently own 14 industrial plants in Brazil and one in Argentina. It is organized in three business units: Forestry, Paper (cartonboard, kraft and recycled paper) and Converting (corrugated boxes and industrial sacks).

In its quest for integrated, responsible growth, Klabin has embraced a management style focused on Sustainable Development, combining profitability, social development and environmental commitment. The company has been a member of BM&FBovespa’s ISE (Corporate Sustainability Index) since 2014 and is a signatory of the UN Global Compact and the National Pact to Eradicate Slave Labor. It seeks suppliers and business partners, who observe the same values of ethics, transparency and respect for the principles of sustainability.

Get to know more at www.klabin.com.br