Solidarity response of the Province of Brasil Sul-Amazônia to the pandemic

The pandemic has shown how much the world still suffers from social inequalities. In Brazil many families have lost their sources of income and are living in a vulnerable situation. In the Marist Province of Brazil-Sul Amazônia, as in other Administrative Units of the Institute, a great current of solidarity was formed during the first days of social isolation, which became stronger as the months went by. There were several action fronts that were carried out in the mission places to benefit thousands of people in the different cities of Rio Grande do Sul, in Brasilia and in the Amazonian region, territories that have projects in the Province.

The schools organised campaigns to collect food, the social centres made masks and also bread to be distributed to the local communities, and the fraternities of the Champagnat Movement of the Marist Family instituted social campaigns in their parishes. These are some of the initiatives that we can highlight among many other voluntary actions that emerged among collaborators, educators, students, families and lay Marists. 

“Ação comunidades” (action for communities)

This initiative, organised by the social direction of the schools and social units of the Province, aims to collect donations to benefit more than five thousand families helped by the Marists. Donations of food, hygiene materials, blankets and coats are made at the collection points distributed in all the Units. In addition to food, money donations made to the “Ação Comunidades” account there are investments in mobile phone chips to provide Internet access to students in the Province’s social schools.

Solidarity Art

The campaigns also relied on the artistic talent of collaborators, students and partners. During this period, several live artistic transmissions with musical presentations were made, with the aim of collecting donations for the most needy. The “Solidarity Art” campaign, at the Mário Quintana Marist Social Centre, found a way to help the families assisted at the Unit through the sale of the artistic works. In total, 95 paintings made by the students with recycled material were sold. The money collected has been donated to the families without resources.

PUCRS

At the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, in addition to promoting various solidarity campaigns, individual protection equipment was also produced in Tecnopuc’s laboratories. These were intended for health professionals and educators who work in the field during the pandemic period.

Amazon

In the Amazon region, among many other initiatives, we have sent protective materials by waterway to the community of Foz do Tapauá, following up the situations of indigenous peoples in urban areas in Manaus and making masks for groups at risk. In addition, the Province has  joined the campaign “Amazônia Precisa de Você” (The Amazon Needs You), coordinated by the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network (REPAM) and the Pontifical Missionary Works.

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