Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Apr 29, 2004 / 22:00 pm
Because of the resentment people bear toward street children, it is almost impossible for them to enter and use chapels and churches. As a result, Fr. Renato Chiera, president and founder of an organization that ministers to street children in the state of Rio de Janeiro, has proposed chapel project especially for them.
The chapel would be housed in the organization’s centre, the Casa do Menor Sao Miguel Arcanjo, and will cost about 40,000 Euros. The priest made his proposal to Aid to the Church in Need during his recent visit to the international charity’s head office in Germany.
Fr. Chiera’s organization is the largest NGO for street children and adolescents in the state of Rio de Janeiro. More than 1,300 children, as well as drug abusers, are living in foster homes. A staff of 100 social workers and several volunteers educate and guide the youth.
The organization belongs to the “Familia da Esperansa” and it is close to the Focolare spirituality.
The first “village” for street children was founded in Miguel Couto, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, 14 years ago.