About Instituto Guirlanda
Who We Are
Instituto Guirlanda is a non-profit civil society organization dedicated to promoting holistic health, well-being, human development, and positive social impact. We work through an interdisciplinary approach, integrating care practices, education, sports, culture, and social inclusion, always focused on creating real and meaningful transformation in people’s lives and in the communities we serve.
We believe that caring is a continuous act, built over time through connection, presence, and commitment. For this reason, we develop and support projects that promote autonomy, dignity, social awareness, and opportunity, while respecting human diversity and the territories in which we operate.
Our work is guided by values such as empathy, ethics, social responsibility, collaboration, and transparency, with the constant goal of generating lasting and sustainable impact.
Our History
The history of Instituto Guirlanda began even before its formal establishment, driven by a genuine purpose to serve.
In 2019, the couple Anderson Furtado and Fabíola Furtado initiated voluntary actions focused on care and well-being, offering free meditation classes on Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach in Rio de Janeiro. During the same period, they also began providing free naturopathy services to the quilombola community of Vargem Grande, bringing integrative health practices to people who historically had limited access to this type of care.
These initiatives were born without formal structure, sponsorship, or financial compensation. They were driven solely by the desire to do good, care for people, and contribute to a more conscious and healthier society.
Starting in 2023, the Institute expanded its focus to include sports as a tool for social transformation. At this stage, it began creating and supporting sports projects in neighborhoods across Rio de Janeiro, with special emphasis on the Leões de Aço Project, developed in partnership with football coach Dreiffus, a former professional athlete. Dreiffus had already been carrying out consistent and inspiring work with young people who dreamed of pursuing a career in football, and the alignment of purposes further strengthened this initiative.
Until that point, all these actions took place without the formal existence of an institute, sustained solely by the will to do good, voluntary dedication, and a deep human commitment to each person served.
In 2024, this journey gained structure. As a personal decision and understanding this work as a life project, Anderson Furtado initiated the process of institutional formalization, officially founding the Instituto Anderson Furtado. This step enabled the expansion of partnerships, better organization of projects, the pursuit of sustainability, and the strengthening of social impact.
In 2025, the Institute took an important step by establishing a partnership with Curso Êxito, located in Botafogo (Rio de Janeiro). This collaboration opened new areas of action in education and culture, combining the Institute’s experience with over 20 years of work developed by educator and Curso Êxito founder, Delymar Cardoso, significantly expanding the reach and diversity of the Institute’s initiatives.
From 2026 onward, reflecting its institutional maturity and expanding vision, the organization adopted the brand name Instituto Guirlanda. The name symbolizes continuity, care, unity, and cycles — values that have been present since the very beginning of this journey.
The name has changed, but the essence remains.
Our Impact
Instituto Guirlanda works closely and practically with communities, developing and supporting projects that generate social impact in areas such as:
Holistic health and integrative practices
Physical, emotional, and mental well-being
Sports as a tool for inclusion and social development
Education and culture
Human and community development
Our actions reach children, youth, adults, and seniors, respecting the specific needs of each audience and territory. We strive to ensure that every project leaves not only immediate results, but also lasting legacies of autonomy, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging.
The Institute’s impact is built through daily care, partnerships, the strengthening of local initiatives, and active listening to the communities we serve.
Our actions align with global agendas for sustainable development, health promotion, education, inclusion, and community strengthening.
Transparency and Ethical Commitment
Transparency is a fundamental pillar of Instituto Guirlanda.
We operate ethically, responsibly, and with a strong commitment to the proper management of resources, partnerships, and projects. Our work is guided by:
Clear and honest institutional communication
Responsible use of resources
Accountability, when applicable
Alignment with best practices in the third sector
Our commitment is to the trust of the people, partners, supporters, and society as a whole. We believe that true social impact is built through integrity, responsibility, and consistency between values and actions.
An Institute in Motion
Instituto Guirlanda is in constant evolution, expanding its areas of action, strengthening partnerships, and developing new projects. We keep alive the essence that gave rise to everything: care for people and a genuine desire to transform realities.
We continue connecting people, projects, and causes, building a more humane, conscious, and supportive future.