The pandemic was not restricted to isolation and regrets. Solidarity emerged in creative ways in Guaíba. The Community of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery were the protagonists of a mobilization that involved entities, companies and civil society organizations. The motivations of the sisters helped in the emergence of solidarity network. This initiative ensured the care of families in areas of extreme vulnerability, especially in the Bom Fim, Nova Guaíba, São Francisco and Vera Cruz neighbourhoods.
A cooperation network was set up which included the distribution of non-perishable food by Archdiocesan Charity, Food Bank, SESC Mesa Brazil, Sisters of St. Joseph of Porto Alegre, other organizations and volunteers. This charitable action ensured the monthly distribution of basic food baskets to 150 families. Every week, with the support of companies, 720 packets of food, ready for consumption, were also distributed.
According to Sr. Angela Ribas, one of the highlights of this action was the availability of a group of volunteers from the community who tireless worked in the task of collecting and distributing food. “The onset of winter impels us to be concerned about warm clothes for people. The lack of warm cloths causes innumerable diseases and health problems”. To meet this need, the mobilization ensured the distribution of more than 3,500 worm clothes. A group of mothers from the PROJARI social project made three thousand masks. This personal protective equipment was distributed to people in areas of vulnerability, along with guidance pamphlets, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization on COVID-19.
To the surprise of the sisters, the initiative won many supporters. A group of farmers from Nova Roma do Sul sent fruits and vegetables for the community, especially to feed the children. According to Sr. Angela, the good initiative even gave rise to a new expression: “solidarity generates solidarity”. For the sisters, the unpretentious initiative ended up in triggering a beautiful feeling of caring for life. They point out that this initiative is in line with the commitment proposed by JPIC of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, which encourages them to take care of life and work of creation.
Elton Bozetto - RP 10.417
