The perennial echo of example
The perennial echo of example
Over 68,000 items were officially donated to thirty-five philanthropic institutions in the states of São Paulo and Minas Gerais, including furniture, appliances, computer equipment, construction materials, musical instruments, and vehicles, from the Central Geral do Dízimo – PRÓ-VIDA (General Center for the Tithe – PRÓ-VIDA, CGD-PV) and its 26 affiliates in Brazil. The ceremony took place on April 25, in the city of Alfenas, Brazil. In total, it is estimated that these donations may directly impact the lives of 6,000 people.
The reason behind these donations is the idea that only people with expanded capacities are capable of building a better, more just world. As explained by Eduardo Natrieli, representative of the CGD-PV, “with expanded consciousness, man comes to recognize the greatness of the universe and its dimension, and to recognize others, the reason for things, who he is, where he is, and his responsibility in the environment,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the institutions present on this day, Celina da Costa Dias Silva, from Movimento Assistencial Espírita Maria Rosa, in Campinas, SP, illustrated a perspective of the social work carried out since 1979 by the CGD-PV. “Those who are in the day-to-day of the institutions know how difficult it is. Sometimes, we feel like losing motivation. An action like this is what makes us move forward. More than a donation, what we receive is trust and sensitivity; it is a true commitment to what really matters: caring for people. It is very good when we see that we are all on the same path, the path of goodness,” she commented.
With the objective of valuing human beings, the CGD-PV and its affiliates operate through anonymous, voluntary, and spontaneous bank deposits, which are fully converted into goods and materials donated to philanthropic institutions. To date, nearly 14,000 donations like this have been carried out, in addition to the construction of 16 vocational schools, which educate thousands of people.
For Bruna do Valle Rodrigues Neves, from Casa do Caminho Associação Filantrópica, in Santa Rita do Sapucaí, MG, acts like this reinforce the importance of volunteer work and also the importance of structuring their institutions to better serve those in need. “More than this donation, this support from PRÓ-VIDA symbolizes a validation of our work (…) that we are moving in the right direction,” she commented.
However, the material needs of philanthropic institutions are constant and will not be fully met by these donations alone. Therefore, the intention of this act is not in the donation itself, but in the opportunity to point out a way forward, a possibility of a dignified life in a world with so many differences.
“That is why we show what we do, to set an example. (…) An example capable of inspiring in others the will to change; that teaches, that shows each person to do their part, not because someone asked, but because they feel it must be done. An example that a more just and supportive society is possible, where everyone can live in harmony and peace,” as Natrieli recalled.
Click here to learn more about the work of the CGD-PV.
