Two daycare centers in São Mateus, in the northern region of Espírito Santo, are being revitalized by two groups of volunteers from the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This is just one of the initiatives carried out by the young people of the Missão Calebe project in the city, which has more than 200 participants on site. At night, they hold evangelistic services to tend to the physical, mental, and spiritual needs of the community.

Among the countless activities that are underway, they chose to renovate two nurseries, the Centro Infantil Educacional Municipal (Ceim) Areinha, and Ceim Alice Ponte, in the Vitória neighborhood. The revitalization began on Sunday, January 17, with the cleaning of the spaces. 

The pastor and project leader in the city, Moabi Novaes, explains that the initiative was born from the need to encourage one of the essential areas of society: education. “We bring the Church closer to the community. And there is nothing more just than revitalizing this space where [those who will be] the nation's future will be formed ”, he corroborates.

On Sunday, January 24th a group of young people and adults began working early, sanding down walls and preparing them for painting. The educational institutions are being painted and will be presented to the community later this month. At Ceim Areinha there were 13 cans of paint - large and small - used to revitalize the external and internal part of the educational institution. The material collected for the project was the result of financial support donated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church and other donors. 

“I have been participating in the Calebe Mission for four years, here in the city of São Mateus. For me, it is a privilege to be able to participate, because I think that personal development is very great. We develop empathy for people, ”says Dayane Savernini, a volunteer in the project.

Environmental design 

Another group of volunteers from the same project planted 50 tree seedlings to encourage sustainability and respect for the environment. The seedlings were also acquired with donations and placed around a nursery and in some points of the Vitória neighborhood. The Educational Center will also be revitalized by these volunteers. In addition to these projects, the São Mateus calebs are cleaning and restoring public squares, renovating their homes, and offering Health Fairs in the communities.

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