For the first time, after 41 monthly editions, the Missionary Practices of Fraternidade – International Humanitarian Federation (FIHF), left the result of the immediate enrolment of volunteers for the humanitarian missions organized by the institution. This happened after the event held from February 9 to 13, in Carmo da Cachoeira, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Of the 32 participants in the meeting, nine offered to serve in some of the four missions that Fraternidade currently carries out. Two have joined the Brumadinho Mission, and another one is in the waiting list; two are cooperating in the Carmo da Cachoeira Mission, and a third one will make weekly rhythms; three are enrolled for the Humanitarian Roraima Mission.
41st Missionary Practice
“The 41st Missionary Practice showed two outstanding traits: on the one hand, it awoke with intensity the spirit of selfless service and the availability to respond with readiness to the inner call; on the other hand, it was an opportunity to put into practice important attributes of the missionary path. This path implies love for one’s fellow beings and neutrality in the face of inconveniences, as it gathered a very heterogeneous group, and some cases with serious difficulties to adapt to group life”, described Mariandja, the coordinator of the Missionary Practices of FIHF.
Missionary Practices began in 2015, as an instance of training and self-knowledge of those interested in helping in humanitarian missions. They take place every month, with an average duration of five days. In that time, the participants learn not only practical matters for service but also qualities necessary for a group task, such as co-existence of personalities that are different and even opposed, hierarchical obedience, renunciation to individual habits and outlooks, adaptation to group rhythms or precarious situations and emergencies.
Kingdoms of Nature
The last experience included a visit to Francis of Assisi Park, a shelter for abandoned dogs, located in Lavras, Minas Gerais; a course on how to make ecological diapers and feminine towels; and a practical workshop for the elaboration of feminine towels, which remained available for donation. The number of 165 units were made, which will be given to Casa Lar, a space belonging to the town of Carmo da Cachoeira for minors in a risk situation, and in the fairs of distribution that FIHF conducts on Saturdays in the Shed of Saint Joseph, a storehouse it has managed since 2015.
In the Francis of Assisi Park, the volunteers shared the Sunday morning, on the 10th of February, with the 450 animals. They also conducted several tasks of support, such as the cleaning of the area where the dogs stay and the corridors, the harmonization of the veterinarian healing sector (surgery room, infirmary, and pharmacy) and the reorganization of the store of balanced food.
On the following day, the environmental educator Denise Nobre Aguiar, a member of the Network-of-Light of Curitiba, and participant in the Missionary Practice, imparted a course, created by herself, of making of diapers and reusable feminine towels. The seminar has an illustrated guiding folder and is composed of three parts: the first one is of environmental education and the other two of training for the preparation of ecological products.
A vocation of the soul
For the psychologist Fatima Cavalcante, it was her third Missionary Practice in a row, whereas for Taciana Mazur it was the first one. Both agreed that the impulse to serve beats intensely in their hearts, and that the Humanitarian Missions of Fraternidade represent an excellent opportunity to channel what they called a “vocation of the soul”. Both volunteers joined Brumadinho Mission, which is occurring in the place where, on last January 25, an overflow took place, with the resulting flood of tailings of the mining Vale company, which, up to the moment, has caused 166 casualties, 144 disappeared, hundreds of affected animals, and an environmental impact that will last for many years.
Next Missionary Practice will take place from Friday to Tuesday, 1st to the 5th of March, 2019.
