Dr. Seuss once wrote, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” For Vaga Lume, a nonprofit organization that sets up community libraries in remote areas of the Amazon Legal region, which encompasses more than 60% of Brazilian territory, Dr. Seuss’ words are all too true. Families and children in this region struggle to access basic public services like healthcare and education. Many children miss school because of the distance, time, and drought-like conditions they must navigate.
Empowering children living in these rural remote Amazonian communities, promoting reading and sharing knowledge are all at the forefront of Vaga Lume’s mission. To date, the organization has reached 110,000 youngsters and adults, and distributed 177,000 books. But when Felipe Cincinato began working at Vaga Lume in 2021 as a communications analyst, he quickly realized that his department needed more than his help; it needed a complete reorganization and a team committed specifically to spreading awareness of Vaga Lume’s mission.
“I had to instantly become a manager and create a new structure for my department,” said Felipe. “That included building a successful communications team and gaining the trust of those I would hire. I also realized I needed help.”
In 2023, the International Coaching Federation contacted nonprofit organizations in Brazil—including Vaga Lume—and offered coaching on a pro-bono basis, and Felipe recognized it as an opportunity to foster his leadership skills.
“I had this challenge of understanding my role as a leader of the communications department,” said Felipe. “My coach understood the field and our challenges. She helped me understand how to balance my role, learn to trust the people that I work with and help the team develop its potential.”
Engaging with a coach became not only a source of light and guidance, but also an inspiration for Cincinato as he moved forward with Vaga Lume’s work and ensured others knew about its positive impact for children in the Amazon Legal region.
As a Vaga Lume leader, Felipe also found coaching helped him achieve his goals of establishing, empowering and growing a team of trusted and successful communicators dedicated to making a difference in the lives of thousands across the Amazon.
Today, Vaga Lume’s team comprises 26 people, along with a group of more than 800 volunteers in the Amazon region. Vaga Lume is established in 22 municipalities across the Legal Amazon, fielding 95 community libraries and 5,000 qualified reading mediators. From Felipe’s perspective, coaching was a key element in Vaga Lume’s reaching these milestones, as it provided him with lifelong leadership and communication skills.
“The coaching process was really important to us as a growing organization. Developing a structured communications department and receiving coaching as a leader helped us strengthen this department, allowing us to better achieve our goals,” said Felipe. “We work for the children, so having a stronger communication department means we can do more for them. Coaching played a crucial role in making this possible.”
