Charity Dinner Raises Funds for the “Health Boat” Project
Last Tuesday evening (the 14th), São Leopoldo Mandic College hosted the 2nd annual Charity Dinner to benefit the Barco da Saúde project, an initiative organized by students in the medical and dental programs. The event took place at the Dona Terezinha restaurant, located on the institution’s campus.
With over two hundred tickets sold, the dinner was prepared by Chef Roberto Geraldo da Silva and supported by a dedicated team of student volunteers who served the guests. Among the guests were students, alumni, faculty, family members, and members of the broader community, all gathered to support the cause.
The goal of the event was to raise funds for the next expedition of the Barco da Saúde project, which provides medical and dental care to vulnerable indigenous and riverside communities. However, the evening also served as an opportunity for outreach and engagement:
“The Barco events go beyond fundraising. They allow more people to learn about the project, which seeks to bring healthcare to communities that are often overlooked. Other ways of raising funds might be simpler, but the event demonstrates, in practice, the value and importance of what we do,” explained Isadora Bavaresco, a 7th-semester medical student and project coordinator.
During dinner, the students thanked the guests for attending and emphasized the significance of the Barco da Saúde in the academic and personal development of those involved. Professor Luciana Okajima highlighted the initiative’s educational impact:
“The project is wonderful, both from a pedagogical and social standpoint. It’s a unique opportunity for the students, who come into contact with a reality completely different from their own. They learn how to provide care—and, without a doubt, they learn a great deal.”
Mariana Pimentel, a Mandic alumna and current pediatric resident, also shared her experience with the project:
“I’ve always wanted to participate, ever since I was an undergraduate. I was able to go at the beginning of my residency, and it was life-changing. I learned to work as part of a team, make decisions in the field, and engage with a different reality—not only in socioeconomic terms but also in terms of conditions not covered in class, cases we don’t encounter in our day-to-day practice. All of this contributes enormously to our medical training.”
The dinner is part of a series of events organized to make the next expedition possible. However, as the organizers emphasize, each event is not merely a means to the project—it is the project itself. The preparation, engagement, and active participation even before departure are essential parts of the experience. Every contribution, therefore, is also an act of commitment to the Barco da Saúde mission.
Check out some photos from the event below:
