Brazil - The Don Bosco Youth Centre in Matriz de Camaragibe welcomes those displaced by the floods
Matriz de Camaragibe, Brazil – July 2023 - The Don Bosco Youth Centre (CJDB, in Portuguese) in Matriz de Camaragibe welcomed 128 families displaced by the floods in the municipality into its facilities between 8 and 10 July. A total of 388 people were assisted in the institution, with food, clothes and warm clothing, personal hygiene items and, above all, a spiritual and fraternal welcome from those who work and volunteer there. The "CJDB" is a reference point for welcoming those displaced by the floods that occur every year in the municipality. The parish helps by opening the chapel doors so that people can stay in a safe place. According to Islane Santos, Pedagogical Co-ordinator, it is sad to see the families who have lost everything and the frightened children, but we must thank the Lord that they are all still alive and that the CJDB can once again open its doors to all those in need. "We have the help and immense support of CISBRASIL and the Salesian Province of Brazil-Recife (BRE), which allowed us to feed the people here at the Centre. Volunteers promptly rushed to the 'CJDB' to help, with the support of the Municipality's Social Welfare Department. For his part, Fr Geraldo Albuquerque, SDB, Social Service Director of the Youth Centre, together with 'CJDB' volunteers and youth group coordinators, prepared recreational dynamics for the children to distract them from the situation. Throughout the period of the rains and floods, Fr Albuquerque helped get people to safety and transport those he could to the "CJDB", as well as sorting out accommodation and food for all those assisted.