Lavalla200> Community of Tabatinga on mission
The community is getting involved in different activities to meet the needs of the city and the surrounding region, following health and safety protocols that are quite strict during the COVID-19 pandemic. “At the moment we are under a number of restrictions that are preventing face-to-face ministry in general. As soon as health measures allow, we will be initiating some ministries with personal contact as a community”, explains Br. Nilvo Favretto.
The Lavalla200> community of Tabatinga is currently formed by Brothers Nilvo Luiz Favretto (Brazil) and Luke Fong (Fiji) and Mario del Carmen Araya Olguín (Chile), a layman. They are still waiting for the arrival of Mayra Lleana Gutiérrez Márquez (Mexico).
Our activities fall broadly into four categories: being a significant presence among children and young people; formation and training in parish and neighbourhood communities; support for indigenous and riverine communities; care for our Common Home.
Training sessions are already being provided for neighbourhood leaders, church communities and teachers, focusing on integral development. In the indigenous and riverside communities in the region, we hold forums for listening to the residents and supporting them in matters related to securing their rights.
In general terms, the community’s focus is the care for our Common Home. Through training and awareness-raising actions, the topic of integral ecology is being introduced, with an eye to practical action.
Three countries (Brazil, Peru, Colombia) share a common border in the Alto Solimões area. The twin cities – Tabatinga (Brazil) and Leticia (Colombia) – are each 1000 kilometres distant from the nearest road in their respective countries. The area is home to many indigenous groups within the rainforests, town dwellers, and mixed race people living along the rivers. In addition, there are groups that illegally exploit natural resources as well as others that are working to defend indigenous peoples and biodiversity.