“Finding the Etelvina early childhood center was finding myself. The people I met here, Rosa… It’s a long story, a huge story.

I get emotional thinking back to when I first walked in, I realized it — because a whole film played through my mind. The early childhood center wasn’t just about bringing the children here, it wasn’t just about feeding them, it was an involvement with the family, with the parents’ wellbeing too, you understand? The staff gave themselves to us.

I remember that, sometimes, I had conflicts at home, because I couldn’t cope. People here would come out and go there, keep me company, give me a hug. Or the door here was open to receive me in that moment, when before I felt like I didn’t exist, you know? And when I left here, I left lighter.

So, this is the place that gave me my dignity, that helped me find Christ, the fellowship, the friends who mattered, whom I still carry with me today. I’m grateful, I want it on record here, that I’m grateful for the ‘yes’ that Rosa said one day. Because that ‘yes’ of hers saved several lives, rescued several families.

Thank you so much, Rosa. Thank you so much to the staff, to everyone who helped, the Italians, you know? The Brazilians too, who help as well. Because this Work here, whoever lived it in our time, never forgets it.

I met her there in Dona Etelvina’s shack, over by Beira Rio, you know? It’s a very beautiful story, really. Very beautiful. You understand? This is a piece of my life.

It’s a piece of my life. Even though our stories aren’t always stories of success. But what keeps us standing is this encounter with these people, you know? Throwing yourself into what Rosa threw herself into, and she brought with her many other people who also gave themselves, who helped, who took care of this place, who still take care of it. So, I say, this is my home.

I was standing still on the road, not knowing where to go, when she appeared to me…

At the door of my shack, in that moment I didn’t understand, but over time I discovered that she was the presence of God, who that day came to bring, through her, that hug as tight and strong as she was. To tell me: I’m here, count on me! This Rosa said her yes so that I could be found along the way and could say my own yes amid the sorrows and joys.

Great woman! Thank you so much for having looked at me with the eyes of Christ!”