Romana

Pamplona (Spain)

With those affected by Hurricane Eta

Students from the University of Navarra, in collaboration with Tantaka -the University's solidarity time bank-, the Colegio Mayor Belagua and Campus Home, collected 1,843 kilos of clothes, toys and medical supplies for those affected by Hurricane Eta, which hit northern Honduras and Nicaragua, leaving more than 100,000 families displaced. Some 120 volunteers helped with the collection of materials and donations.

Barcelona (Spain)

Promoting integration

The Braval Foundation published the study Keys to Success for the Social Elevator, which brings together the experiences of more than 600 experts who over the last 15 years have participated in the Braval Conversations on Immigration event. These are contributions from businessmen, the media, politicians, welfare institutions, the educational world, religious denominations, public administrations and civil society. This study presents a detailed analysis of the elements involved in the migratory processes. It is intended as a working tool for third sector professionals, members of social service administrations, students of education and social work and related sectors.

Rome (Italy)

Training, business, dignity and work

The ELIS Center launched the #IvoireJeunesse project, co-funded by the Italian Ministry of the Interior, to contribute to the socio-economic development of Côte d'Ivoire, a country rich in resources but plagued by youth unemployment. The initiative aims to fight poverty and irregular migration through vocational training, entrepreneurship and the creation of concrete job opportunities on the ground, with the objective of restoring confidence to young Ivorians who, having lost hope in a better future, decide to leave their country, exposing themselves to the danger of irregular migration.

Quezon City (Philippines)

Driving for change

Volunteers from the Lauan University Center collected and distributed food and basic necessities to bus drivers and their families, whose incomes were drastically reduced by the pandemic restrictions. Their goal was to help the families of 80 drivers. The response from businesses and friends to the donation drive was swift and generous. Surplus donations of rice and other food were delivered to Our Lady of Pentecost Parish, located near the Lauan University Center.

Campinas (Brazil)

Solidarity refrigerator

The COVID-19 pandemic greatly increased the number of people who had to make use of soup kitchens. The Altavila Cultural Center in Campinas, Brazil, set up refrigerators in disadvantaged neighborhoods, so that anyone could bring prepared and packaged food, thus avoiding the feeling of shame of being in the so-called hunger lines. A leftover baked dish, roasted meat, the classic Brazilian rice and beans; any product could be placed in the refrigerators, available to those who really needed it. The initiative spread quickly and citizen collaboration had an effect. The women who promoted this project gave importance to small gestures of affection and tried to foster a sense of solidarity. This was expressed in the notes placed on the doors of the refrigerators, messages of encouragement and encouragement, often answered by the beneficiaries.

Lisbon (Portugal)

No one is left behind

Opus Dei faithful collaborated in activities in the parishes of Santa Beatriz da Silva, Anjos and São Vicente de Paulo, to deliver food baskets to the neediest families in the towns of Chelas, Serafina and Anjos. The aim was to respond to the challenge proposed by Pope Francis to leave no one behind and to address the increasing difficulties that the pandemic poses for families. The project was designed with parish priests Friar Fabrizio (Santa Beatriz da Silva Parish), Father Paulo Araújo (Anjos) and Canon Francisco Crespo (São Vicente de Paulo). The motivation also came from some words of St. Josemaría: "A man or a society that does not react to tribulations or injustices, and does not make an effort to alleviate them, is not a man or a society that is equal to the love of the Heart of Christ."