(ANS – Cuiabá) – On Tuesday, July 29, the parish of Nossa Senhora da Guia in the Coxipó neighborhood of Cuiabá, together with the Salesian Institute Santo Antônio, officially inaugurated the “Don Bosco” Social Service Project. The initiative is designed to welcome and care for 200 children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 17 from the nearby Coophema district.
The activities take place at the Santa Maria Goretti church and include recreational time, meals, and evangelization programs. Full operations are expected to begin in September, although some activities have already started.
A Pastoral Initiative that Unites Church and Community
The inauguration ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Mário Antônio da Silva of Cuiabá, alongside Fr. Ricardo Carlos, Provincial of the Salesian Province St. Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori of Campo Grande (BCG). After blessing the building with holy water, the Archbishop emphasized that this project should inspire other parishes to act on behalf of the most vulnerable. “The good Samaritan is the one who heals wounds, who draws near, and who goes where no one has yet dared to go,” he said.
The event was attended by Salesian authorities, municipal representatives, and members of the local community.
A Safe Space for Children in Need
This project aims to provide a well-equipped, welcoming environment for children facing vulnerable conditions. Fr. Ricardo Carlos described the new center as “a privileged place for the Salesian mission.” He added, “We hope this home will receive children, teenagers, and youth, allowing Don Bosco’s dream to be realized: to form good Christians and upright citizens.”
A Community-Driven Choice
Parish priest Fr. Marcelo Fujimura explained that Santa Maria Goretti was chosen due to the high number of disadvantaged children in the area. “The community’s support was essential to establish the project here,” he said.
Priority for admission will be given to those in greatest need. Social workers will oversee the selection process based on family income and living conditions.
Free of Cost Thanks to Significant Investment
The Salesian Province BCG has invested over 1.2 million Brazilian reais (around €190,000) in the construction of classrooms and the renovation of the kitchen. All services and activities will be offered free of charge to families.
The Canopus group also contributed to making the project a reality. Fr. Fujimura remarked, “This is a way of showing that these children matter to us. They are not only the future—they are already the present.”
Registration and Shift-Based Participation
To join the project, children must be enrolled in school and maintain regular attendance. Those who attend school in the morning will take part in the social activities in the afternoon, and vice versa. The selection will follow social criteria established by the team running the project.