Donations in Five Countries Benefit 80 Philanthropic Institutions
Donations in Five Countries Benefit 80 Philanthropic Institutions
In October and November, 80 philanthropic institutions were assisted through donations delivered by the Centrais do Dízimo PRÓ-VIDA (PRÓ-VIDA Centers for the Tithe) (CD-PV) in Argentina, Bolivia, Italy, and Portugal, and by the Central Geral do Dízimo (General Center for the Tithe) – PRÓ-VIDA (CGD-PV) in Brazil, with actions carried out in each of their respective countries. Although each Center for the Tithe has its own area of operation, one common point unites them: they all trace back to a story of love and solidarity started by the founder of PRÓ-VIDA, Dr. Celso Charuri, in 1979, when he founded the CGD-PV.
At that time, a group of friends, participants of PRÓ-VIDA expressed to Dr. Celso their desire to help others, to do something to make the world better. In that context, Dr. Celso transmitted a teaching: those who have more are to reach out to those who have less. And he made a proposition to the group that anonymous and spontaneous deposits were to be carried out. These deposits would then be used for the acquisition of material goods, which would be donated to philanthropic institutions – as an example of a path to build a more just and compassionate world.
This story began with the first donation in the state of São Paulo (Brazil), which multiplied and, to this day, more than 13,000 donations have already been carried out around the world.
October and November Ceremonies
In Portugal, the donation ceremony was held by the Central do Dízimo PRÓ-VIDA de Portugal on October 4, in the city of Leiria. Representatives of the two benefitted institutions — the Associação de Promoção Social, Cultural, Recreativa e Desportiva da Guia de Pombal (ACUREDE) and AlmaSã – Centro de Educação Especial de Almada — highlighted how the donations symbolize a more fraternal world.
On behalf of CD-Portugal, Rui Lara thanked the institutions for the opportunity to carry out the fourth donation in Portugal, continuing the social responsibility actions promoted in the country.
In Brazil, in the city of Piracicaba, 65 institutions received donations on October 18, delivered by the CGD-PV. Walter Zaneta, representative of the Associação de Serviços Sociais Voluntários de Balneário Rincão, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the benefited institutions, saying they would carry with them “that positive mark, symbolizing that it was all worthwhile” He also pointed out the common thread among the institutions: the volunteer work to help others and “doing one’s best to make others happy.”
Francisco Rojo spoke on behalf of the CGD-PV, recalling the beginning of its activities and social responsibility actions as part of a movement initiated by Dr. Celso Charuri in the late 1970s.
A week later, on October 25, it was the turn of the Central del Diezmo PRÓ-VIDA da Argentina (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Argentina) to hold its donation ceremony in Tres Arroyos, benefiting five institutions. Speaking on behalf of CD-Argentina, Daniel Moreno and Ivone Verkuyl recalled that ten years ago, PRÓ-VIDA’s activities had been initiated in the city, reinforcing the meaning of the occasion.
In November, ceremonies were held in Italy and Bolivia. On the 8th, in Milan, four philanthropic institutions were benefited through the donation carried out by the Centrale delle Decime d’Italia (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Italia). Paolo Corsini, president of Croce Bianca, emphasized that volunteer work is challenging, but it brings great reward: “There’s nothing better than helping someone and receiving their smile. We do this not out of vanity, but to do our best.” On behalf of CD-Italy, Giovanni Dinu recalled the teachings left by great minds who walked the Earth and highlighted the example expressed through the donations.
Concluding the November donation ceremonies, on the 15th, in Cochabamba, Bolivia, four institutions were supported by the Central del Diezmo de Bolivia (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Bolivia). Marcela Choque, representative of Asociación Creamos, stated that the donations symbolize hope for the institutions and their beneficiaries, especially for the future of the children they serve. Jorge Franco, on behalf of CD-Bolivia, thanked the institutions for the opportunity to make the donations concrete, which expresses the example left by Dr. Celso Charuri of how it is possible to build a much better world.
