The Paulo Coelho Institute is a non profit organization which helps the less favored social classes to be integrated in our society.

In Rio de Janeiro, the writer collaborates financially with the Creche School Boys of Light / Lar Paulo de Tarso located on the Rua Saint Roman, no. 142, Copacabana in the poor communities of Pavão and Pavãozinho.

The Institute offers assistance to 350 children and adolescent community inhabitants, from 3 months to age 18. The purpose of the institution is to decrease the crime rate and the social exclusion of the young. There by enabling them to become elements of transformation in their communities.

If you want to learn more about the institution and wish to help in any way, access the site at www.meninosdeluz.org.br.

The charitable association "Nhá Chica de Baependi", located in Southern Minas Gerais, directed by the Franciscan Sisters, is another entity that receives the writer's financial help. The association cares for ninety abandoned children, from birth to 16 years of age. Its main objective is to provide a worthy life to those children.

Francisca de Paula de Jesus, better known as Nhá Chica, dedicated her life to the poor. Paulo Coelho’s closeness with Nhá Chica began in the year of 1978, after a miracle that changed the writer's life. This story was published in " Histories for Fathers, Sons and Grandsons” p.s 85/87.

If you wish to learn more about the life and work of Nhá Chica and want to help that association, visit this site: www.nhachica.hpg.com.br.

The"Espaço Amanhecer", located in Resende, in the State of Rio de Janeiro, is another entity that receives the writer's financial resources. It is located at Rua Rafael Antonio Andréa, n° 39 tel: (024) 3360 0852. It is a school for children and special adults. If you want to help the institution please send a message to Marcia Antunes.

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THE BOW AND ARROW WIZARD

The writer practices archery, considered one of the oldest sports of the world, which attracts more followers in Brazil every day. For Paulo Coelho the sport is more a concentration exercise than a competition.

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THE WIZARD’S BLACK CLOTHES

Most people are curious to know why Paulo Coelho only wears black in his public appearances. The answer is as simple as the user: besides being elegant, it is more difficult to be damaged by the hotel cleaners of the world.

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"The Alchemist” was on the best sellers list for five years, from July 22, 1989, to July 17, 1994, entering the Guinness book of records.

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THE SYMBOL OF WISDOM

Although he has already revealed this information in several interviews, and in his book " The Valkyries” (pgs 101 and 102), it is worth reminding one of the meaning of the ring which he wears on the ring finger of his left hand. It is a metal ring in the form of a serpent with two heads, that was given to him in 1982 by his master in Norway, after completing the Tradition of the Moon. The serpent is the symbol of the wisdom.

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THE WIZARD AND ST. JOSEPH

Few people know that Paulo Coelho was born from a difficult childbirth, that forced the family to baptize him immediately after birth for fear of his death, in the Hospital Casa de Saude São José, one of his devotion saints. Every year, on March 19, the writer throws a party in his residence on Atlantic Ave. in Copacabana, in celebration to his sacred saint. Included in his distinguished guest list is the name of his first reader, Maria Inês Pinto, the person to whom he gave his first autograph.

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