(ANS - Corumbá) - The social project Sino da Caridade (Bell of Charity) is organized by the Salesian community of Cidade Dom Bosco and coordinated by Fr Jair Marques de Araújo. Just before Christmas it delivered about 400 food parcels to families in need. A ceremony took place in the Don Bosco state school, in the presence of the mayor, Paulo Duarte, and his wife Maria Chiara Scardini, who coordinated the activities together with the Town Council. 

Each parcel contained about twenty items - 10 kg of rice, 6 kg of beans, 4 kg of sugar, 2 kg of wheat flour and pasta, cleaning materials, milk and biscuits. After a widespread campaign and thanks to the generous support of many people, the organizers got more donations than expected, especially since the start had been quite difficult this year.

"We had a lot of difficulties, but today we have a sense of accomplishment, thanks be to God, who enlightens us all. The difficulty we found was due to the crisis which affected the willingness of people to help. However, in recent times, the feeling of solidarity was stronger and this greatly strengthened the campaign in the final week," said Fr de Araújo.

This year's campaign received the cooperation of all the state schools in Corumba, and the three that collected most donations were awarded the P. Ernesto P. Sassida Solidarity Trophy.

During the ceremony, toys were also donated for children of needy families.

For the Mayor of Corumbá, Paulo Duarte, himself a Salesian Past Pupil, the "Bell of Charity" is an example, started by a Salesian priest, of something that is greatly needed in these days, namely solidarity. "Even with this economic crisis, we received a very big number of donations, thanks to the work done by the Town Council, along with the many other people and organizations who contributed, demonstrating that solidarity is still to be found among our people," said the Mayor. He also hoped "that campaigns like this might be run throughout the year."

Published 13/1/2016