«In 1998 I expressed a wish to take part in a long-distance sponsorship program. Among the materials I received from AVSI, I chose to support this project, and shortly after, I received the profiles of two nearly four-year-old children who attended the Etelvina Caetano de Jesus early childhood center: Grazielle and Gladson, twins. From that moment on, a story began that grew over time.

The Association always kept me regularly informed, and from the very beginning I was able to write to the children. They sent me drawings, photographs, and letters, building an ever deeper bond that continued even after the family moved away from the early childhood center.

In 2009 I had the opportunity to go to Brazil and get to know the Obras Educativas up close. Despite life’s changes and relocations, the bond stayed alive over the years, helped also by new means of communication that allowed us to stay in touch.

Over time I also accompanied other children through new long-distance sponsorships, always keeping alive my wish to follow their growth.

Today, after so many years of experience, I can say that this journey has been profoundly meaningful for me. The work carried out by the Obras Educativas Padre Giussani is extraordinary because it is, first and foremost, an educational work.

The value of education is fundamental because it affects Brazilian society, giving children a solid foundation for the future, the chance to continue their studies, and to build a better life.

In this sense, family involvement is a central element: a child grows up better when supported by a present family environment that accompanies them along their educational path.

After more than twenty years of long-distance sponsorship, I continue this commitment with gratitude, convinced of the value of a path that unites education, relationship, and continuity over time.»