Children from communities may have a different Easter in Rio

The non-governmental organization (NGO) Voz das Comunidades will carry out this Saturday (8), starting at 10 am, in Rio de Janeiro, its thirteenth Easter action, entitled “PAZcoa das Comunidades”. The goal is to distribute at least 20,000 chocolates to children in Complexos do Alemão, Penha and Vidigal. The NGO was founded by activist Rene Silva, born and raised in Morro do Adeus, one of the favelas belonging to Complexo do Alemão. In 2005, at the age of 11, Rene created the newspaper Voz das Comunidades, to present problems and demand improvements for the population. The “PAZcoa das Comunidades” action has the participation of eighty volunteers from the NGO and aims to bring joy and hope to the favelas, on the eve of Easter Sunday. “Many families here in the favelas experience financial difficulties and are unable to buy chocolate. What we have seen for 13 years is that a simple gesture can transform a child’s Easter. More than eggs, boxes of chocolates or chocolate bars, we are bringing hope, joy and keeping the tradition for these children”, said Rene to Agência Brasil. In addition to bringing solidarity, the act seeks to highlight that there is hope for a better future for families. Manicurist Luciene de Souza Rocha is participating in the action for the first time. She has two children: a 16-year-old teenager and a two-year-old and four-month-old baby. “It will be very good because I don’t always have access to money for the child. My husband is unemployed. It’s pretty hard. This is the first year that my son understands Easter. For me, this help will be wonderful, ”she admitted. Volunteer Childhood for 13 years, since the creation of “PAZcoa das Comunidades”, biomedical Fernanda Pontes stated that this is a unique initiative for the community, “because there are many people who, in the midst of this action, we have the dimension that [elas] they don’t have access to Easter, Easter eggs, children who grow up without this illusion. Because that date turns out to be an illusion created by commerce, linked to the bunny, the chocolate egg. And we deal with children who did not know this and who ask: what is this, auntie?”. According to Fernanda, the NGO’s initiative “is really cool, because it brings hope. It is an opportunity for the child to live his childhood, like other children. I am very happy to be a Voz volunteer”, said Fernanda, who has a space for aesthetic biometrics in the Nova Brasília community. Easter represents joy for thousands of children – Ana Carla/Voz das Comunidades The NGO Voz das Comunidades is still accepting donations for the purchase of chocolate eggs. This year, the novelty is that they can be made through the iFood app, which became a partner of the action, in the “Donations” tab. All the amount raised will be passed on to the action. Data to donate is: PIX: CNPJ 21.317.767/0001-19; PICPAY: @vozdacomunidade; PAYPAL: [email protected]; iFood. In the 2022 edition of the action, 25,000 Easter eggs were distributed, exceeding the stipulated target of 20,000 products. The estimate is expected to be exceeded again this year.

Agência Brasil