No child exploited. No woman silenced.

Maria Bonitona Institute – IMB

Care, courage and transformation in the heart of Marajó.

The Maria Bonitona Institute was created in Portel, in the Marajó archipelago, to face a painful reality head on: violence against women, child sexual exploitation, hunger, poverty and social exclusion.

Inspired by the strength of Maria do Rosário Luz de Oliveira, known as Maria Bonitona — a simple and warrior woman who raised and educated five children alone —, we transformed pain into struggle, and struggle into hope.

We work in the most vulnerable communities, bringing protection, dignity and real opportunities for change. We are a movement of love with action.

Our areas of activity:

• We combat all forms of violence against women and girls
• We fight against child sexual exploitation
• We welcome and defend the LGBTQIA population
• We tackle hunger and poverty with projects that generate income, education and health
• We promote inclusion, culture and local development

More than an NGO, we are a network of affection and justice.

We work every day to ensure that no child is exploited, no woman is silenced, and no family is forgotten.

🌱 We transform lives with love, determination and action.

The life story of Maria do Rosário Luz de Oliveira, affectionately known as Maria Bonitona, was the seed of everything. A strong woman, active in social causes since her youth in the Guamá neighborhood, in Belém do Pará, Maria raised and educated five children alone, with courage and faith. Her trajectory inspired her daughter Suelem Inez Luz Silva and her son-in-law José Antonio de Sousa Silva to found, on July 8, 2023, the Maria Bonitona Institute – IMB.

🌿 Our Mission

We were born in Portel, in the Marajó archipelago, from the direct confrontation of a harsh reality: violence against women, child sexual exploitation, hunger, poverty and social exclusion. We act where the State does not reach, with firm actions, genuine affection and commitment to transformation.

🌺 Our Areas of Activity