Donations made in September benefit 81 philanthropic institutions in 3 countries
Donations made in September benefit 81 philanthropic institutions in 3 countries
Three social responsibility actions were held in September by the Centers for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, in their respective countries. Thousands of items were donated to 81 philanthropic institutions in total, directly impacting the lives of approximately 14,000 people.
Donation Ceremonies like these have been taking place in PRÓ-VIDA for more than 45 years. They are an act of solidarity aimed at valuing the human being, transcending borders and ideologies.
This is an action that goes beyond the delivery of items. The purpose of the donations is to set an example of a path that builds a more just and more solidary world, in which people are happier.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
On September 27, at the PRÓ-VIDA Club in Baradero, in the Buenos Aires province, the Central del Diezmo de Argentina (Center for the Tithe of Argentina) formalized donations to 11 institutions. Representing them, Rodrigo Gindón, from Fundación Otium, in Córdoba, expressed his gratitude:
“Knocking on doors is something we have always done when we needed to ‘keep rowing.’ And this door opened. Thank you for that. I remember my mother knocking on doors so that today Fundación Otium could be what it is. And [this donation] allows us to keep working and doing what we love so much, and what is so necessary,” said Gindón.
On behalf of the CD-Argentina, Carlos Costa recalled that donations help, but they do not definitively solve the demands of the institutions because others will arise. “That is why we do not want to be remembered for the materials we donate. We do not believe that what we donate is the most important. We believe that the most important thing is the example. The example we can give. The example that everyone can give. The example that you can Be in a world where people only think about having,” he explained.
São José dos Campos, Brazil
On September 13, at Parque Burle Marx in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, the Central Geral do Dízimo PRÓ-VIDA (General Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA, CGD-PV) and its 24 affiliates in Brazil formalized donations to 68 institutions from different states in the country.
Nilva Sleiman Ali Zeitoun, from Projeto Rendar, of Bragança Paulista, São Paulo, was moved when speaking about the usefulness that the car donated by the CGD-PV will have in the daily life of the institution. “This car will speak for millions of women. I come from a community where we try to restore women who have been hurt, victims. And what a difference it makes to be able to carry their bags, clothes, or a piece of furniture at that most difficult moment. (…) To leave here with a car? I can’t put it into words,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the CGD-PV, Alexandre Aiello also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to bear witness to the possibility of a Much Better World. Quoting words from Dr. Celso, he spoke about happiness — not the ephemeral, fleeting kind, but the one felt by those who help others — the “inner happiness that is in the hands of those who have understood and changed.”
Viña del Mar, Chile
Also on September 27, in Viña del Mar, simultaneously with the event held in Buenos Aires, 2 institutions received the formal donations from the Central del Diezmo de Chile (Center for the Tithe of Chile).
Carlos Verdugo, president of the Fundación Cristiana para Niños y Ancianos de Valparaíso, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the institutions present. “I believe our hearts are in a special state. (…) Because this is an act of love in a world that seems to lack love. (…) So, I want to end this morning by thanking you, who made this possible; and when we return to our institutions, we may make them happy.”
On behalf of the Center for the Tithe of Chile, Gabriel Nunes reinforced why donations like these are part of our work in society. “We know that new needs will arise tomorrow. That is why we want to ask that, in moments of difficulty that may come, in challenging times, in moments of doubt, you remember us. We will remember you and your examples. But remember us not for the materials you received today, not for the goods donated. Remember us as the strong arm that fights and will keep fighting for this much better world. By doing so, we will have given you the true gift we wanted to offer: hope,” said Nunes.
Over these 45 years, the CGD-PV, its affiliates in Brazil and the Centers for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Italy and Portugal have already carried out more than 13,000 donations to philanthropic institutions, in addition to the construction and donation of 16 vocational schools with the capacity to train 55,000 young people per year, offering them the opportunity to obtain a more dignified working condition to support their families.
Click here to learn more about PRÓ-VIDA’s Social Actions.
