This important event, dedicated to young people and promoted by the Focolare Movement in Brazil, was made up of several phases with cultural moments and volunteer activities, involving various projects, including Brazil Magnifica, Pedreira and Maria Menina, sustained by AFN in the vicinity of Aparecida São Paulo.
AFN was among the various workshops and during the presentation, one of the most touching moments was the testimony of a young person who had benefited from the Distance Support project. Andrè Prevatto told us, “I enjoyed the dialogue with the young people present and Cauê’s testimony, about being supported by the Long-distance Support Project, moved everyone”. Cauê, 20, now works as an administrative assistant at the SMF (Focolare Movement Society) in Vargem Grande Paulista, São Paulo. His experience in the project began when he was a child, and thanks to AFN, he and his siblings have had several opportunities to improve their life.
Keula and Rogerio told us that the AFN stand, which was managed with enthusiasm by some families, also represented a space for meeting and having more information. Many people, including families and couples, discovered the importance of the AFN projects and showed interest in learning more and contributing. Keula and Rogerio pointed out: “Many families who were participating at the Genfest stopped to listen and ask for more information, recognizing the value of these projects in dealing with difficult situations. They also wanted to learn more about how to get in touch with AFN where they live.”
The Genfest offered not only a platform for dialogue, but also the opportunity to consolidate a network of solidarity and support that connects young people and families from all over the world, united by the commitment to promote fraternity and mutual help. The AFN stand was a point of reference, demonstrating how concrete actions can inspire and involve the new generations in solidarity.
Furthermore, the representatives of AACA, our local counterpart of the Santa Terezinha project in Brazil, wrote to tell us about their experience of the first phase of the Genfest welcoming young volunteers from various parts of Brazil and from all the world to the project between the 12th and 18th of July. “With joy they shared our life on the Island of Santa Teresinha with them, delving into its rich history and contributing to activities with children and teenagers. Five former students and an AACA collaborator were among the young people who continued the experience of the Genfest in the city of Aparecida in the State of São Paulo.
The result of this experience was that the young people of Recife with 5 AACA students, had a meeting after the Genfest, and the idea was born to relaunch the Youth Centre, which years ago made a great contribution to the growth and development of adolescents, promoting their integration into the community itself, through recreational, cultural and educational activities, and supporting them in that delicate phase of preparation for the world of work and leaving the project. The first meeting for the realization of this Youth Centre project has already been held!
(Author: Giovanna Pieroni)
