Dr. Celso Charuri’s Birthday
Dr. Celso Charuri’s Birthday
Honoring a friend on his birthday. This is what we learned from Dr. Celso Charuri. The birthday of the founder and conceiver of PRÓ-VIDA is celebrated on June 11, and participants of the Movement render homage to him by carrying out the gesture he left as an example for the construction of a Much Better World: helping others. On June 13, donations were made to charitable institutions in six countries, continuing a story of love and solidarity.
Dr. Celso dedicated his life to the purpose of transforming the world into a more just place. Through his conduct, he taught that a happier society can be built through a simple gesture that is within everyone’s reach: “those who have give to those who don’t,” he used to say.
This is the idea that forms the foundation of our Movement and inspires our work.
One of the ways to express this principle is through donations made to charitable institutions in several countries. The first of these was carried out by Dr. Celso himself in Brazil nearly 46 years ago through the Central Geral do Dízimo – PRÓ-VIDA (General Center for the Tithe – PRÓ-VIDA), conceived and founded by him.
Recognizing that an act of solidarity is strong enough to transform lives, PRÓ-VIDA participants followed the gesture set by Dr. Celso, and more and more people joined this purpose. New Centers for the Tithe were established over the years and began operating in different countries. This work has already reached more than 13,700 donations, as well as the construction of 16 Vocational Schools, which have already trained thousands of young people.
Donations Are Made in Six Countries
In celebration of Dr. Celso’s birthday, the Centers for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Italy, and Portugal held a total of 32 Donation Ceremonies in their respective countries on June 13. A total of 135 charitable institutions benefited, impacting approximately 56,000 individuals directly supported by the institutions.
Through voluntary, anonymous, and spontaneous contributions, thousands of items were purchased and donated by the Centers for the Tithe, meeting the requests and needs of each charitable institution. Among the items delivered were furniture, household appliances, toys, computer equipment, school supplies, hospital equipment, construction materials, musical instruments, and vehicles.
Despite the importance of these actions, they cannot solve all problems. As Center for the Tithe representatives emphasized during the ceremonies, other needs will continue to arise. However, as Dr. Celso taught, the Much Better World begins within each person, through the example of giving of oneself, which may include financial resources, but also attention, a friendly word, or a smile, as Fernando Janikian explained during the event held at the PRÓ-VIDA Headquarters by the Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of São Paulo, Brazil.
“We know that these donations will not solve the institutions’ problems, and that is not our objective; we know they will not because they are material things that come to an end one day. (…) Our objective is to set an example that a conscious man, a dignified man, is the one who truly builds a better world,” said Fernando.
Emotion Upon Receiving the Donations
Representatives of the beneficiaries attended the ceremonies and shared their feelings and perceptions regarding the donations.
Donations were made by the Central del Diezmo PRÓ-VIDA de Mendoza (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Mendoza) at the local PRÓ-VIDA center, benefiting six institutions. Donations were also made by the Central del Diezmo PRÓ-VIDA de Buenos Aires (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Buenos Aires) at the PRÓ-VIDA center in the city, to eight beneficiaries.
“Thank you for building bridges of fraternity,” said Marta Sánchez, representative of Centro Madre Antonia, from the city of Rosario, Santa Fe, speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries during the Donation Ceremony in Buenos Aires.
Two institutions were benefited by the donation carried out by the Central del Diezmo PRÓ-VIDA de Bolivia (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Bolivia) at the PRÓ-VIDA center in the country.
“There is nothing left to do but give thanks. One can clearly see that this is a network of solidarity,” said Brother Marcos Pacheco, representative of the José Mercado Aguado Orphanage.
A total of 105 institutions benefited from donations made by the 26 Centers for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA in their respective cities across Brazil.
“Today, we celebrate not only an act of solidarity, but also a gesture that strengthens our missions and renews hope in many lives. (…) We render homage to Dr. Celso Charuri, whose legacy continues to inspire this work and remains alive in every action carried out,” said Amauri Peres Ventosa, representative of Casa de Davi Tabernáculo Espírita para Excepcionais, from São Paulo, during the event held at the PRÓ-VIDA Headquarters by the Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of São Paulo.
The Central del Diezmo PRÓ-VIDA de Chile (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Chile) made donations during a Donation Ceremony held at the PRÓ-VIDA center in Santiago, benefiting three institutions in the country.
“PRÓ-VIDA reminds us that when the Tithe is transformed into concrete love, faith ceases to be merely words and becomes action,” said Paola Peña, representative of Fundación Abrazo Fraterno, from Santiago.
“We thank not only for the financial assistance, but also for the message of hope and confidence that this donation transmits,” said Andrea Rojo, representative of Escuela 4320 San Alberto Hurtado Cidevis, from Santiago.
Four institutions were benefited by the donation carried out by the Centrale delle Decime d’Italia (Center for the Tithe of Italy) at the PRÓ-VIDA center in Latina.
“I was particularly touched by this act of donating without asking for anything in return,” shared Giuseppe Puopolo, representative of Coro di Piazza Vittorio, in Rome.
The Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Portugal carried out a donation at the PRÓ-VIDA center in Lisbon, benefiting six institutions. Among the items delivered were an emergency power generator with a storage system and a water filtration system for the Associação Algarvia de Pais e Amigos de Crianças Diminuídas Mentais, in Faro. The institution faces periods of extreme drought and limitations in water and power supply due to its geographical location.
On behalf of one of the benefited institutions, Centro de Bem Estar Social da Zona Alfa, representative Maria Manoela Neves expressed her gratitude for the donations, saying that they “will make a difference in our home.”
“There comes a time when some people begin to live more fragile lives, and we strive to ensure that everyone in that home may have life in abundance. That is what we seek to achieve with these donations we receive,” she said.
To learn more about the work of the Centers, click here.
