Stories that Inspire: Massage by the Blind is an example of success in financial planning in the third sector

Cícero Mesquita started a project to qualify people with visual impairment for the job market through courses in Massage Therapy and Chiropractic. The project began as a voluntary initiative at Laramara (Brazilian Association for Assistance to Persons with Visual Impairment), but grew rapidly in scale. With the expansion of the Massage by the Blind project, which became a national reference for teaching methodology in the sector, Cícero faced significant administrative and financial challenges. The organisation needed robust financial planning and accounting consultancy to manage its operations professionally, especially after formalisation as an Association and the acquisition of its own headquarters in 2021. The project had reached over 1,000 graduates and 5,000 events held, impacting thousands of lives, but needed adequate accounting structure to continue growing and expanding to other capitals.

Seteco provided pro bono accounting consultancy and financial planning for the Massage by the Blind Association. The work was described as instructive and comprehensive, helping the organisation to structure its finances professionally. The consultancy enabled the association to have better financial control and to plan its growth sustainably. In 2022, the Seteco team was invited to hold 'A Day of Massage' for its employees, demonstrating the collaborative relationship between the organisations. The solution provided by Seteco allowed the Association to focus on its mission of qualifying people with visual impairment for the job market, whilst having professional support in accounting and financial management.

With Seteco's support, the Massage by the Blind Association succeeded in formalising itself as an association in 2021 and acquiring its own headquarters at Rua Dr. Thirso Martins, 130 – Vila Mariana. The organisation reached over 1,000 graduates and 5,000 events held, with thousands of lives impacted. The project became a reference for teaching methodology in the inclusive massage sector. The association expanded its operations to multiple cities, including the first interstate course in 2011 in Campos de Jordão with 18 people graduated. It established strategic partnerships with Instituto Givaudan, Fundação Dorina Nowill, CIEE, AACD, Teleton, Fundação Gol de Letra, SESCOOP and ABQV. The association's goal is to continue training as many people as possible, expand to other capitals and drive greater engagement with the cause of including people with visual impairment in the job market.