Marist Solidarity Mission

Leave everything and roll up your sleeves. This is the thought of the more than 400 young Marists who will participate in the 13th Marist Solidarity Mission (MSM).

The objective is to allow students to experience the day-to-day lives of residents of communities in situations of social vulnerability in some cities of the Brasil Centro-Sur Province (Curitiba, Cascavel, Florianópolis and Ribeirão Preto), from Jan. 21 to 27.

Held annually since 2005, the MSM aims to promote education for solidarity, based on an experience of reciprocal learning and dialogue, in which students can experience the day to day lives of residents of communities who are socially vulnerable.

The activity allows the sharing of life between young people and the community, in order to awaken the critical sense, the solidarity sensitivity and the spirituality of both.

In addition to the shared coexistence between community and participants, in each location there will be a concrete gesture, that is, a practical action that will collaborate for local development.

Gestures of that year include revitalizations of community spaces, such as schools, gardens and areas of coexistence.

It will also promote moments of debates, dialogue with families from nearby neighborhoods and educational and recreational activities for children and adolescents in the region.

According to Diogo Galline, representative of the Ministry Sector of the Marist Group, young people participating in the MSM acquire a more critical view of society, capable of causing internal changes that lead to social transformation.

“The Solidarity Mission wants to contribute with education in the solidarity of these adolescents and young people, that is, help them to incorporate in their respective personal projects the importance of a life based on justice and fraternity,” explained Diogo.