In northeastern Brazil, in the city of Fortaleza, the capital of the State of Ceará, is the Fray Humberto Training Center, belonging to the MST, where we were able to talk with Paulo Henrique Campos, a young man who grew up in the movement and is currently a leader in the State of Ceará.
Paulo Henrique Campos tells us that his connection with the MST began in 2007 and he is currently part of the State Coordination in Ceará. At this center, products from the settlements are marketed, and debates on various social topics that combine culture, music, and politics are organized. Additionally, he highlighted the work of the MST's educational sector, which began with adult literacy in the settlements and has 12 rural technical schools with an agroecological and cultural focus.
In the State of Ceará, the MST has 164 settlements with around 10,000 families. Paulo Henrique Campos mentions that his struggle in the movement began linked to agrarian reform and has participated in various experiences, including work on policies for youth and strengthening solidarity between rural and urban areas.
Among the MST's dreams for youth are access to university and the eradication of illiteracy in their territories. Campos, the son of settlers in the first MST settlement in Ceará, thanks the organization for providing him with the tools to contribute to this struggle and mentions his experience collaborating in Haiti with peasant and urban movements.
The Fray Humberto Training Center was created in 2005-2006 to reinforce the political training of the militants and the social base, later extending to children and youth. It is named after a friar who supported the MST and promotes events like the Agrarian Reform Fair, held monthly in Fortaleza. Inspired by Paulo Freire, they aim to guide their critical education under the premise of "reading the world."
Paulo Henrique Campos emphasizes that the MST formed him in values of solidarity and collectivism contrary to capitalist individualism. In collaboration with entities like the Municipality of Fortaleza, they plan literacy programs for thousands of people in the region. The Center offers a variety of courses in partnership with universities and PRONERA, becoming a fundamental space for articulation with other social movements, both rural and urban. For Campos, happiness lies in building a more humane society, not in material things.
