The following information about the projects of the Vincentian Family was gleaned from the Vincentian Family website in Brazil. (It was graciously translated by Amelia Bonfim.)- One in three Brazilians is undernourished, says the UN (OESP)

Issue n.02 – November 2002

* In RIO DE JANEIRO a dream is becoming reality. The members of the SSVDP acquired a trailer – « OZANAMOBILE PROJECT » – in order to assist the urban poor where they live, i.e., in the street. The Project intends to give those in need food, bath, haircut, medical dressings, general health and dental care, administrative services concerning documents, registrations, also accompanying them with other forms of assistance. It will also take care of basic and religious education of those poor who live in the streets.

* The whole educational community of the Rural School of Saint Vincent of Paul of Campo Grande collaborated in this « Globalization of Charity Project ». It was launched, together with the Vincentian Marian Youth as the « Little Ant Project » collecting recyclable material to be exchanged by food. The food thus obtained is then distributed to people in need.

* In the Saint Vincent of Paul High School (Rio) the aims of the « Globalization of Charity » are :

– to foster understanding and educational activities to promote a real solidarity with those who suffer from hunger ;
– to enlarge awareness of other problems that generate hunger or are generated by hunger.

During the celebrations that took place on Saint Vincent’s Day, teachers and students organized an exhibition to show a series of pieces of work on the Globalization of Charity. First steps have been taken by the « Action and Collaboration with the SVP dispensary, the AIC cell and the Christ the Redeemer Crèche.

* In Belo Horizonte (MG) there has been a PUBLIC MARCH : « Fight against Hunger », because food is a GIFT OF GOD and a RIGHT OF EVERY PERSON .

People met in the Liberty Square and then marched along the main avenues and streets of the capital, concentrating again in the Seven Square. There were more than 2000 people, members of the VF, representatives from the main clerical orders, politicians, public authorities, carrying flags, posters and several other devices to show their firm will to fight so that every single person may have access to food, as well as to convey their firm will to present and promote really challenging proposals that may help change the situation and end up with the scourge of hunger.

* Several activities in Parana :

In Maringa (PR), a youth group has launched the « Campaign for Bread ». People are invited to contribute the equivalent sum of a loaf of bread, per week. The money thus gathered is then invested in training for unemployed people.

In Cianorte, a « Bank of Food » has been created to collect food which is then taken to the homes of the poorest families. Efforts are made to uncover the reasons of their poor living and to help eliminate these reasons.

In Terra Roxa, young people have been helping with the « Pastoral of the Children ». They collect milk powder and help with the weighing of the little ones.

In Paraiso do Norte, thanks to a mass « drag-net », they managed to collect food for those who are poor.

* « Nova Sepetiba Project » – a VF in Rio de Janeiro, together with the participation of the Daughters of Charity, of the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul, of the Congregation of the Mission and of the Vincentian Marian, have been working on the « Nova Sepetiba Project », a poor district in the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro.

Some 😯 km away from downtown, Nova Sepetiba, approximately 40000 inhabitants, live in very dire conditions. With the collaboration of the local priest, a group of the VF intends to develop a « People’s Mission ». Besides the specific preaching of the Gospel, several other projects have been considered : special emergency food help, social promotion, setting up of social « Pastorals », development of the « Pastoral of the Children », raising people’s awareness so that they can conquer their civil rigths, their citinzenship, the building of a large room where different pieces and types of work will be done.

To begin with, the group has already started a series of fact-finding visits, mainly during weekends, to try to learn more and more about these people and their everyday life. Two initiatives are already being carried out : emergency food distribution to help families who are living in extreme dire poverty, and the « Maria Maria Project » (women’s organization to teach sewing, needlework and other activities that may help create a fresh source of income for these people).

Please consider sending reports of any Vincentian Family Hunger Project to
John Freund