I CALL YOU FRIEND

Our Lady's Missionaries in Brazil walk in solidarity and friendship with those who struggle for life

By Sr. Lucy Lee. O.L.M.
Summer 2004

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It was easy to see right from the beginning that Luciana was an especially gifted child. Although only eight years old at the time, she not only learned quickly but within a year was creating her own designs.

She had been one of the girls in my very first jewelry-making class. I teach this and other crafts at the Community Centre here in Pici, a new housing development in the city of Fortaleza, Brazil. Most of my students are between the ages of seven and 14.

I was delighted when I saw how skillful Luciana was because jewelry making is a fairly remunerative craft. She lives across the street from the Centre and is one of six children. Her father has cancer and her mother, the only salaried person in the family, is in charge of the sewing courses at the Centre.

I offered Luciana extra help with the hope that she would soon be able to replace me, leaving me free to spend more time accompanying people with AIDS who participate in the Centre's day program. She took advantage of the extra help and within a year was teaching two classes a week. Although there was a demand for more classes, her mother insisted she limit her teaching so as to have time for play and studies. I have observed her gentle and patient way with the class.

My students keep one of every two craft pieces they make. Selling the second piece provides us with the resources to purchase materials for the program. Luciana continues the same method. I suggested also that because she has become so professional at her craft she charge the students a small fee per week. However, knowing the situation of her students, some of whom are her friends, and enjoying the opportunity to teach them, she continues to give freely of her time and talent.

I admire her attitude and am reminded of what Our Lady's Missionaries founder Fr. Dan Macdonald set out as a motto for us: "Freely we have received, freely let us give." Luciana is a joyful and generous young person in the community, sharing freely the gift God has given her. She helps other young people contribute to their family income and, maybe most important of all, she provides an opportunity for an activity in a safe and drug free atmosphere. Luciana represents hope for the future of youth in Brazil today.

Making a difference for children

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

Right: Today the archdiocesan team manages a centre for boys under 12 who want to leave the streets. The boys thrive in this rural setting, attending classes, doing chores and participating in sports.

At the offertory of the Eucharistic celebration organized by our pastoral team, the young man held up his beautiful daughter Vivian, age two, and said: "Here is the second generation. She will have a different life. I want to give thanks to God and to all the people who helped me and never gave up on me during my very hard times."

When we first met Fabio, he was 12 years old and sleeping in the bus station. Our Archdiocesan pastoral team began to accompany this young boy and encouraged him to go to school. Now 22 years of age, Fabio has a wife and child, and is working.

The situation of abandoned children on the streets of the large cities of Brazil has been well publicized, but still the violence and horror of it is beyond anyone's capacity to imagine. Many of these children have good reasons for leaving home-abusive parents, alcoholism, hunger and violence, to mention a few. Some children are even sent to the streets by their parents with the expectation that they return with either money or some object of value that can be sold or traded.

I have been doing pastoral work with children for 13 years in the Archdiocese of Fortaleza. The purpose of our work is to establish a relationship of trust with the child, and where possible, between the child and the family. We return children to their families only when this is in the child's best interest.

When I started working with the Archdiocesan team there was no place for the children to go even if they wanted to leave the streets. A few years later, with the help of the Archdiocese, one of the members of the team bought 50 hectares of land outside of the city. This project has now developed into a well-managed centre for homeless boys under 12 years of age. There are now 76 boys living there, enjoying nourishing meals, receiving adequate schooling, helping with farm chores, and participating in sports, swimming and household activities. They experience all this in an atmosphere of respect and dignity.

Unfortunately, the hospice for girls is not nearly so well situated. We have regular conversations with members of the local government stating the urgent need for more safe homes for children. Clearly the future of these citizens is not a priority for the mayor and council.

There are still 200 young people under 18 years of age living on the streets of Fortaleza. Of these, 91 are under the age of 12. There are many more children on the streets, but who go home at night. We are one of five agencies, both nongovernmental and government that are in contact with most of these young people on a weekly basis. I have come to know about 30 of them very well.

Sometimes it is difficult to be hopeful in the midst of such neglect and violence. But each time I participate in bringing together a parent and child, hear the invitation "come home," and see a loving response in the eyes of both, I can believe again in the welcome that I know is offered by a loving, compassionate God to all of us prodigals.

Gifted with hope

By Sr. Mary Hughes, O.L.M.

The people with AIDS whom I visit each week are a kind of miracle in my life. Yet, I find their courage and hope sometimes difficult to understand. Paulo is a young man I have known for a number of years. He is still well enough to live at home. On some of his better days he comes to the Community Centre to visit other people who have AIDS. He has a pleasant, quiet way about him. In his limited condition, his service to others gives me hope and is an inspiration to me.

Paulo takes care of his health to the extent that his finances allow. He encourages his friends to do so, too, stressing the importance of rest and of keeping well nourished even when they don't have much of an appetite or the food seems unappealing. When he feels up to it, he joins Sr. Lucy Lee's craft-making classes. He now knows how to make purses, bracelets, penholders and other more complicated crafts through which he can earn a bit of money.

I feel that Paulo is a comforting person. His gentleness brings others peace and a sense of family, especially those whose relatives and friends do not have the means to visit often. His spirit gives life as he reaches out and soothes the loneliness of others. I, too, feel soothed and peaceful sitting for a chat with Paulo. I know that it is in our weakness that we can bring strength and healing to others. As I experience this, I recognize more clearly the strength and healing that comes to me through my ministry to people with AIDS.

The privilege of sharing

By Sr. Pauline Doherty, O.L.M.

A call and the clapping of hands signaled a visitor at our front gate. A young woman was asking for a cup of rice for her dinner. Not only do I have the privilege of sharing with my neighbours, but also with many who make the long, hot trek from the interior of the state on an errand to the city. I look forward to their coming, sharing in their lives as we chat over a cup of coffee and some bread.

The neighbourhood children are delightful visitors who bring life to my day. They are often sent by their families to ask for the section of our newspaper that lists job postings. Their visits offer me an opportunity to invite them to play in our front yard and to share wonderful friendships with them.

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