Students from Escola Adventista de Anápolis, in the interior of Goiás, joined together to help the Pequeño Abandonado Luz de Jesus Institute, which shelters children, teenagers, and people with physical and mental needs.

According to the organizers, 72 food baskets were donated on Saturday, June 26th, as well as school supplies, baby bathtubs, and books with messages of hope. The project was organized by the school's Missions Agency, which is an Adventist Education initiative with the objective of encouraging students and others interested to participate in missionary activities and talk to others about Jesus. 

Along with delivering the donated items, the visit was marked by interaction with the shelter's residents. Rounds of conversations, games, music, and prayer were held.

According to Pastor Renan Abreu, who was in charge of the project, the teaching unit has a missionary vision to help the local community. He reports that in addition to the sense of solidarity that was instilled in the students, the students learn lessons for life through the project.

“I believe that the greatest learning is empathy and a sense of appreciation in small things. The needy reality of those children [we cared for] caused emotion in the students. They reported that they have everything, but sometimes they don't [appreciate] it [as they should]”, he comments.

This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site