Ponte Nova (Brazil). On 12 June 2021, at Our Lady Help of Christians School (ENSA) in Ponte Nova, of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the Brazilian Province Mother Mazzarello (BMM), the “Drive Thru” meeting day was held between students, teachers, educators , school staff, and parents.
The School took the opportunity to launch the Campaign Network against Hunger,(Networked against Hunger) an initiative promoted by the Rede Salesiana Brasil (RSB), with the aim of supporting Salesian social works in actions against hunger by meeting people and families in difficulty in the various regions of Brazil, in a time of health and economic crisis.
The “Drive Thru” promotes the encounter between students and teachers because in this time of pandemic, many students have not been able to personally get to know the teachers and educators of the School. Taking place in June, the theme of the meeting is the Festa Junina, a way to celebrate the traditional Brazilian festival in honor of the patron saints of the month.
“With emotion, enthusiasm, and solidarity commitment, students, families and teachers, employees and managers, met again in person”, said the Pedagogical Director of the School, Maria das Graças.
The students and their families arrived at the school bringing food and were welcomed by the school staff.
The numerous presence of parents and students allowed the School to collect 2 tons of food for the Child Jesus Foundation (FMJ) of Ponte Nova, which currently assists around 80 families in a situation of economic vulnerability.
During the feast, a relay race was organized, in which pupils and students of different levels: Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and High School challenged each other to bring the greatest number of food products. The relay was won by the pupils of the 3rd year of the Elementary School.
From the total of the 2 tons, 300 liters of milk and 1500 kg of food were collected from the classes, with which it was possible to prepare 32 food packs to support families. “It was a wonderful experience. The students are aware that their contribution allowed the School to collect this amount of food”, underlined the Pedagogical Director of the School.
The School of Our Lady Help of Christians will continue to support the “Networked Against Hunger” Campaign, until the end of the pandemic, prompted by the words of Don Bosco, “God has brought us into the world for others” and involving children and young people in initiatives of solidarity.
