Founded in 2001, the Arte Tio João crèche was formed with the intention of meeting the everyday care needs of children in rocinha favela from the ages of 4 months to 6 years - It was created to fill a community absence of care for very young infants and the crèche's mission is to provide ‘playful education', focusing on health, love, trust, sharing, joy, and happiness.

The Vidigal Centro Educação Stella Maris (Vidigal Education Center Stella Maris) was founded in 1935 by a group of nuns and called the College of the Daughters of Jesus -  It was re-located to Vidigal in 1942, and by 1957 it was home to students from 21 Brazilian states.

Its educational activities follow the biblical phrase, 'Where there is no place for the poor, there is no place for me.'