The smile on the faces of indigenous children in the northern region of Santa Catarina reveals the joy they feel when they receive toys. This feeling was possible because early childhood students at the Adventist School of Joinville (Bom Retiro unit) mobilized in a chain of solidarity to collect, buy, and even donate their own toys to those who need it most.

The donations benefited 110 children in four villages: Conquista, Yva Kan Porã, Reta, and Morro Alto. “All parents and students from pre to 5th grade of kindergarten were invited and involved in the solidarity project,” explains Marina Schwants, director of the Adventist School.

The school project started earlier this month, in a fourth-grade class, after the children watched an online presentation about the culture and customs of the indigenous people. The content was applied by Jenefer Ofemester, a volunteer at the Basilar Institute and a professor at the Kirikue Nhambo'ea Indigenous School.

Solidary Partnership

The Basilar Institute was responsible for receiving and organizing the toys. Then the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (Sesai) was in charge of making deliveries. According to Jenefer, children at the Adventist School and volunteers from the Institute did not go to indigenous communities because of the pandemic.

In addition to the 110 children assisted by the students' donation, another 170 benefited from the Basilar Institute in six more villages. “There was a family [from the Adventist School] who sent new and packaged gifts, others used, but they were in excellent condition. Gratitude to these kind-hearted people,” Jenefer said with thanksgiving.

Continuous Involvement

The partnership between Adventist Education and the social entity will take a new action in December through the donation of more toys in indigenous communities. The items have already been collected by the Adventist School of Joinville (Centro unit) and will be delivered in a Christmas action.

Those interested in making donations can contact Professor Jenefer through WhatsApp: (47) 99722-8213.

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