Brazil – "Mission Volunteering," traveling to Mato Grosso, brings food donations and solidarity to indigenous peoples

13 July 2022
Brazil – "Mission Volunteering," traveling to Mato Grosso, brings food donations and solidarity to indigenous peoples

(ANS - Meruri) - Developing actions that contribute to improving the quality of life of indigenous peoples: this is one of the main objectives of the project called "Mission Volunteering" of the Salesian University "UniSALESIANO," belonging to the Province of Brazil-Campo Grande (BCG). Started in 2017, it was interrupted in the years 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it re-commenced in the days from June 30 to 7 July, 2022, when about 30 people, including members of the Rectorate, Coordinating and Student bodies of the Salesian University went on a mission in the villages of Meruri and São Marcos, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso.

According to one of the project organizers, Prof. Juliana Mitidiero, the activities developed with the Boe-Bororo and Xavante peoples focus on the areas of health, education, solidarity, and environment. "Furthermore, our objective is to strengthen the ties between the academic community and cultural diversity. It is a change seen and experienced by all who participate in this project," he underscored.

The UniSALESIAN team, for example, delivered five tons of packages of pasta and tomato sauce to the indigenous people of these ethnic groups, the amount collected by the students of the Salesian Institute "Dom Luiz Lasagna" during the Food Collection Campaign, a social event that is part of the Salesian Games initiative.

"The teams that had participated in the Salesian Games worked hard for a month to get the most donations from the entire school community and also from the city of Araçatuba," explained Franco Garcia, educational coordinator at the school, adding that last year when the campaign was held, most of the collection went to the "Santa Casa" work in Araçatuba.

Regarding the choice of recipients for this year's charity operation, again Mr. Garcia emphasizes the historical and charismatic commitment with indigenous peoples of the BCG Province. While Pastoral Care Coordinator, José Valentim da Silva Filho, reported that the chosen food kit - pasta and tomato sauce - served to provide even donations to the many indigenous communities in Mato Grosso. "It was a great campaign. This is the result of the heart of solidarity, which is the heart of the Salesian student," he said.

The "Mission Volunteering" initiative is inspired by the identity elements proper to Salesian Institutions of Higher Education (IUS), such as the positive transformation of social vulnerability, and works to create an environment rich in human values, with interdisciplinary dialogue in the academic context.

With information by Monique Bueno,

UniSALESIANO

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