In May 2000, Project gem acquired a plot of land in the centre of Baixa da Egua, a slum in inner-city Salvador renown for its social problems. Exclusively employing local craftsmen and unemployed labourers, Project gem and GCGM built a community centre and Capoeira school spanning three floors. The centre was opened on 13th October 2001.

The centre is open to anyone, free of charge. Besides capoeira, classes in English, gymnastics, sewing, textile design, art, music and theatre studies are also provided free of charge. The centre houses an extensive library and an enormously popular IT suite and acts as a drop-in health centre. It is also available to the local community for meetings, lectures and birthdays parties.

Project gem is currently looking into developing a similar project in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro.

Photos of Centre