Photo shoot restores self-esteem of women welcomed by the ParáPaz Foundation
The activity was aimed at women in shelter by ParáPaz Mulher in Ananindeua and focused on emotional care, boosting self-esteem, and spending quality time with their children.
Amidst nature, 17 women assisted by the ParáPaz Mulher unit in Ananindeua participated in a special activity at Mangal das Garças in Belém on Wednesday (28). The program, organized by the ParáPaz Foundation with support from the State Secretariat for Women (Semu), included a photo shoot designed as a form of emotional care, encouragement of self-esteem, appreciation of the role of single mothers, and stimulation of quality time with their children. This initiative is part of the programming in honor of Mother's Month.
The participants are women who have faced situations of domestic violence and are now sheltered in the specialized unit of the Foundation, where they receive psychological, social support, and legal guidance. For safety and privacy reasons, their identities are not disclosed.
In addition to individual photos, the women also posed alongside their children, in moments of affection and connection that helped strengthen family bonds and symbolize a new stage in life. The photo shoot was conducted by photographer Daniela Negrão, who embraced the project with sensitivity and attention to detail, providing a welcoming and listening environment.
For I. B. S., 37, the experience was transformative. "Today's event was of utmost importance to me, especially for my self-esteem. I felt valued and welcomed. The team took great care with the smallest details, always concerned about our well-being, respecting our time, and making us feel at ease, comfortable, and confident. This moment came to show us that we are capable, that we can recover. Not everything is the end. Sometimes, it is just the beginning of a new chapter, a new journey," she shared emotionally.
Psychologist Maria Lúcia from the ParáPaz Mulher unit explained that the proposal is to enhance care for the mental health of participants, creating experiences that favor the process of personal reconstruction. "This is an initiative that reinforces the commitment of the ParáPaz Foundation to promote integrated actions of support, awareness, and empowerment, offering not only services but experiences capable of contributing to the promotion of mental health. These women have gone through intense emotional suffering and are rebuilding a new story," she stated.
The reconnection with her own identity and self-esteem also marked the experience of H. B., 40. "I hadn't smiled in years," she revealed. "Today was a special day. I managed to reconnect with myself. Before, people said my smile was beautiful, but I had lost that over time. I was ashamed to take photos, but today was different. I smiled with pleasure, took beautiful photos — the photographer even praised my smile — and I realized how much I missed that smile."
Activities with the children
While the mothers participated in the photo shoot, the children — sons, daughters, grandchildren, and nieces of the assisted women — were involved in a parallel program aimed at the May Orange campaign, which combats child abuse and sexual exploitation. The team from the Integrated ParáPaz Santa Casa conducted educational activities with the support of playful materials, such as the touch traffic light and the booklet Playing. At the end of the action, the children received toys donated by Semu, ending the day with lightness and joy.
The action, more than a celebration, was a concrete gesture of care, welcome, and reconstruction. At Mangal das Garças, amidst smiles and nature, women who have already lived through difficult days rediscovered the sparkle in their eyes and the strength to move forward.
