The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Porto Velho, Rondônia, will manage a Casa de Passagem for foreigners. The work will be done in collaboration with the Municipal Department of Social Assistance and Family (SEMASF).
Through a public call for a process managed by the public administration to carry out projects in partnership with non-profit institutions, ADRA presented a plan, and it was approved. It is the first time the regional agency has partnered through an agreement.
On Monday morning, February 21, the ADRA board and Pastor Emerson Campanholo, president of the Adventist Church for the northern region of Rondônia and Acre, met with authorities in the office of Mayor Hildo Chaves. The meeting served to formalize the joint work.
Partnership Has Positive Expectations
For João Dias, regional director of ADRA, this partnership will not only help with the real objective of the proposed program but also enhance and strengthen the projects already developed by ADRA in Rondônia. This partnership is viewed positively. “It is a historic landmark for ADRA Regional Rondônia. We have built a strong relationship with the municipal government through the Municipal Department of Social Assistance,” details Dias.
The high incidence of immigrants in Porto Velho motivated the secretariat to issue a public call. According to Claudinaldo Leão, SEMASF secretary, more than 400 immigrants have already passed through the temporary shelter. He believes the capital of Rondônia has become a migratory route. Privately, he is happy with the ADRA partnership. He already knew the work of the institution in another state. “We have a renowned agency, and we are very happy with the partnership. I had the opportunity to get to know ADRA in Espírito Santo, and there I saw the great work it does,” he emphasizes.
Casa de Passagem will serve 40 Venezuelan migrants full-time. Meals, training, and preparation for entering the job market will be some of the services offered. For assistance by the house, registrations will be made possible by the Specialized Reference Center for Social Assistance (CREAS). Opening is scheduled for the first week of April.
This article was originally published on the South American Division’s news site