Várzea Grande expands free sports project and opens Bolsa Família attendance system

The municipality of Várzea Grande has launched the Bem-Estar project, offering free sports and wellness activities such as dance, functional training, and adapted exercises across 11 community centres. More than 2,600 residents—from teenagers to seniors over 90—participate in the programme, which aims to improve physical health, mental well‑being and social inclusion.

Separately, the city’s education department announced that the federal Bolsa Família attendance platform (Sistema Presença) will be open from 15 July. Schools must register student transfers by 31 July and submit final attendance reports by 28 August. Children aged 4‑5 must attend at least 60% of classes, while those 6‑17 must reach 75%; failure to meet the thresholds can trigger alerts, possible suspension and loss of benefits.