The Infanta Doña Elena, accompanied by Lady Fatima Lima, Director of the Brazil delegation of the MAPRE Foundation, and by Fernando Garrido, Director General of the Institute of Social Action of the same Foundation, arrived at the Salesian Youth Centre in Riachuelo to see at first hand the activities of the centre and the daily life of the young people who live there.
On arrival, the three were welcomed by Fr Agustín Pacheco, Procurator of the Salesian Mission Office in Madrid, and by Fr Marcelo Vicente, Director of the Youth Centre, who accompanied them throughout their visit.
During her time at the centre Doña Elena showed great affection towards the younger boys and girls, who crowded around her to get to know someone they called ‘the princess’. The Infanta was interested in the lifestyle of children and the activities taking place at the youth centre. Once she had seen the various workshops and the sports school, the children and young people from the centre gave her a glimpse of some of the local folk traditions through performances of Capoeira, Makuelé and typical Brazilian dances. Doña Elena then received various gifts made by the young people in the workshops at the centre.
The Social-Sports School, which is part of the Salesian youth centre in Rio de Janeiro, with the motto ‘Citizenship through Sport’, is a project founded by Salesian Missions in partnership with the Real Madrid Foundation. Next July it will have completed its first year and it is already bearing fruit, improving the academic achievements of the participants and involving the parents of the children in the social and educational process. In this way it is becoming an important element in community development for people in the shanty towns of Jacarezinho, Marlene and Molhado Rato.
Published 11/5/2011
