Talents bloom

Introducing some of the many individuals in the small community of Pici whose gifts and talents are for the benefit of all

By Sr. Mona Kelly, O.L.M.
May 2006

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In the developing world of Brazil, our ministry is ever changing but consistently revolves around the daily basic needs of life—food, water, shelter, space and light. These basic elements of life are presumed by affluent societies, however, for most here in our small community, the bare necessities dominate the list of needs and wants.

(CREDIT Jacquie Rashleigh) L-R: Cicera, Sr. Mona, Malena, Eleni and Graca. These are some of the many committed individuals in Pici, Brazil, who share their gifts and talents with their community. Malena is a University Professor of English and a volunteer coordinator with the three Little Libraries. The others are written about in Sr. Mona’s article. (CREDIT Jacquie Rashleigh)
L-R: Cicera, Sr. Mona, Malena, Eleni and Graca. These are some of the many committed individuals in Pici, Brazil, who share their gifts and talents with their community. Malena is a University Professor of English and a volunteer coordinator with the three Little Libraries. The others are written about in Sr. Mona’s article.

However, other essential needs such as caring, nurturing and cognitive development are also being shepherded by many committed individuals. These individuals have been in my life for some time and I have been blessed with being able to observe the growth and development of their gifts and talents. This article focuses on four of them: Manuel, Cicera, Graca and Eleni.

Manuel

For as many as eight years, Manuel has been a right hand to me and to the community. His abilities are many and varied. A capable mason, a Mr. Fixit, a doer and a learner, he continues to be involved in the everyday workings of the Pici community as a coordinator of GDFAM, an organization that supports families. Through GDFAM we help if families are not able to buy school supplies or other items necessary for the children’s schooling. We also offer courses in computers, sewing and other skills to help mothers and young people to become wage earners. We provide activities for the youth to keep them off the streets and away from drugs. Many of our youth who were formerly involved in drugs have taken the sewing and computer courses and are now working. The boys were eager to learn sewing once they saw others with sewing skills being hired by the factories. Manuel coordinates these activities.

Cicera

Cicera, a single mother who has returned to school and is working on her Teaching Certificate, is very active in her home bairio (neighbourhood). She is a member of the Archdiocesan Coordination of the Christian Communities, treasurer for the three I.Can Foundation Little Libraries, co-coordinator of the children’s pastoral, and teacher at the neighbourhood school Margarita Alves. She is also a member of the social justice movement in the city of Fortaleza. A busy giving woman.

Little Lucas cherishes the attention given him by Sr. Mona Kelly at the Little Library, a gathering place for children in Pici, Brazil. Little Lucas cherishes the attention given him by Sr. Mona Kelly at the Little Library, a gathering place for children in Pici, Brazil.

Graca

Graca and I have known one another for more than 15 years. Currently she is the Principal/Administrator of the Parque Universitario Elementary School that has an enrollment of more than 1,000 students. However, this responsibility does not restrict her involvement in many community activities. She is co-coordinator of the I.Can Foundation Little Library at the school. She is also personally involved with many families of the students, assisting them in day-to-day struggles and connecting them with social agencies or seeking aid for enrichment opportunities for their children.

Eleni

Eleni is the coordinator of the most recently established Little Library, Casa da Dorena, which was founded in memory of the late Doreen and Ben Wicks who began the I.Can Foundation and Little Libraries to promote the importance of learning to read and write and the importance of education for young people worldwide.

As a youngster Eleni lived in Palmacia where Our Lady’s Missionary Sr. Pauline Doherty was stationed. I have had the pleasure of knowing and watching Eleni grow and blossom into a beautiful, talented young woman. After completing her schooling she went on to train as a nurse and is now employed at one of the city hospitals. In her neighbourhood she is looked upon as a well respected community leader, mentor and supporter of justice for all.

I am grateful to be part of a team of such committed people working together to help improve the lives of people who have been impoverished by unjust structures and systems.

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