For the next several years in Brazil, she dedicated her time to Capoeira-oriented social projects, working with street children in Vila Madalena, young children in Paraisópolis, and women affected by violence through the Maria da Penha Foundation. After moving to the United States with her husband and Capoeira Teacher, Samuka, in 1999, she taught Capoeira and Brazilian dances at various academies. She also performed extensively in San Francisco with these institutions.

Manoela re-married in 2003 and had three daughters in Brazil. Since 2019, she moved back to the United States and has been actively training at ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin with Instrutora Ciranda and taking on various projects within this program.

In 2022, she launched the “Portuguese in the Rhythm of Capoeira” program at ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin, which offers bi-weekly classes integrating Portuguese language instruction with Capoeira.

She continues to act as the lead instructor of this program today. She has also participated in several advanced courses and workshops, including those offered during the ABADÁ-Capoeira National Games and the 2021 ABADÁ-Capoeira Women’s Meeting. She also competed in ABADÁ-Capoeira’s AbadAcademico Capoeira Technical-Scientific Meetings in 2022 and 2023. At AbadAcademico 2022, she was awarded second place for her presentation in the orange and blue cords division and was recognized for the best São Bento game.

In 2023, she was awarded a graduate-level cord at ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin, a significant milestone in her Capoeira journey.

Outside of Capoeira, she worked as an international marketing director for IT companies and has an MBA in global business administration. In October 2023, Graduada Rara underwent a heart transplant.  Now Graduada Rara is fully recovered and back assisting Instrutora Ciranda and ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin.