Aché

Aché has since May 2003 participated in a group of companies, social and government organizations signatories of the Global Compact initially proposed by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in the World Economic Forum on January 31, 1999. The movement today includes about 6,200 organizations around the world assuming the commitment to abide by and divulge the Principles of Global Compact. In addition to honoring the values and principles of Global Compact, Aché founded the Brazilian Committee of Global Pact, a volunteer group whose purpose is to promote the adoption and incorporation of the principles of Global Compact in the business management of companies that operate in Brazil, such as the consolidation of Social Responsibility in Brazil.

Aché is an active participant of social movements in the city of Guarulhos (SP), and is distinguished for its direct participation in Viva Guarulhos, a non-governmental organization created by the private enterprise. Aché is one of the major stakeholders of the action, which interacts with the government, private sector and civil society with the purpose of contributing to the sustainable development of the city.

The Public Interest Civil Society Organization (?OSCIP?) was founded in 2008 and referred to as Citizenship Factory, operating from the facilities of the former Asta Médica factory, purchased by Aché in the district of Glicério, Center of São Paulo. Aché's Board of Directors granted the physical space of 8 thousand m² on free-loan regime. With the partnerships between the Citizenship Factory, other social organizations and companies, the project will develop activities for the low-income and socially vulnerable population of the Glicério community and its vicinities. The objective of the Citizenship Factory is to promote social inclusion of several community groups by providing complete care to families, adding new resources to the current social care system. The project has six cornerstones: Formation in citizenship, art and culture, professional formation, income generation, leisure and sports, and family center. Services began in February 2009 with 40 children outside the facilities of the former factory.

Working in partnership with Fundação Iochpe, its purpose is to contribute to the professional education of youths exposed to social risks in the region of Guarulhos with the creation of professional courses for Pharma-chemical and Cosmetics Production Assistant. Students receive free meals, financial aid, transportation, health and dental insurance, and participate in all company campaigns and actions. The course-load is of 671 hours and the certificate issued to those who complete the course is recognized by the Department of Education. The youths also have the chance of being hired by Aché. With this initiative, Aché won first place in the "Oswaldo Checchia 2008" Human Being Award in the Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility category. The workers of the Guarulhos factory are invited every year to serve as Volunteer Educators, giving classes and sharing their technical and professional knowledge with the young students in promotion of their professional development. About 60 volunteers partake in the action every year.

The “Menina dos Olhos” [Apple of one's eye] Program of Guarulhos is dedicated to the prevention, identification and treatment of children in their first year of elementary school in the city of Guarulhos (SP), who present any form of visual deficiency, in order to contribute to the reduction of school evasion and repetition. The program was launched in 2006 and currently cares for 74 thousand children, youths and adults who participate in the city’s education programs. The program’s good result led to its extension to the city of Atibaia where 7,562 children benefitted from the donation of 295 eyeglasses. The initiative is supported by over 500 volunteers and had the partnership of the city's government through the Secretariats of Health and Educations, the organizations Viva Guarulhos and Laramara, and Hospital das Clínicas de São Paulo (HCSP).

Thanks to this initiative, Aché won the “Lupa de Ouro” [Golden Magnifying Glass] award in 2008 in the Corporate Responsibility category. Volunteers of the companies, social organizations, and health and education secretariats participate in collective ophthalmological care mobilizations every year. In addition to being responsible for the organization of the event’s logistics, volunteers assist the doctors in the examinations.

Its purpose is to provide Aché and Biosintética drugs to needy communities in Brazil through social or government organizations, public hospitals and universities that render free services to the population. A Drug Donation Committee is in charge of the monthly analysis of requests made by the social institutions.