BRAZIL: New project supports Indigenous communities
Salesian missionaries launch Pibuiwena Arte Xavante project
BRAZIL
(MissionNewswire) Salesian missionaries have launched Pibuiwena Arte Xavante project activities at the São João Batista Youth Center in Poxoréu, in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The project aims to promote the production of Indigenous crafts made by Indigenous families to help them improve their income. The project will also provide the Xavante Indigenous people with financial education and information on craft prices, interpersonal relationships, and customer service.
The education will take place through group dialogue and exchange. Activities for the project will be publicized through social networks and other media. Salesians will share photos, videos and testimonies of the participants. The Pibuiwena Arte Xavante project will also include traditional cultural presentations.
A Salesian noted, “To make the project feasible, the São João Batista Youth Center has used resources to create personalized T-shirts and labels, packaging, and consumables for the workshops. The initiative also has the support of the Legislative Assembly of Mato Grosso, through an amendment by former deputy Xuxu dal Molin and the Secretariat of Culture, Sports and Leisure (SECEL) of the State of Mato Grosso.”
Today, there are about 10,000 Xavante people in the region, spread over more than 200 villages. These communities face extreme poverty. In addition to educational projects, Salesians are providing nutritional and health care support as well as training about land cultivation.
According to the World Bank, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on Brazil with poverty tripling in 2021. Nearly 17 million people fell into poverty in the first quarter of the year and the poverty rate now is higher than it was a decade ago. Researchers estimate that 12.8% of Brazil’s population, some 27 million people, are now living below the poverty line.
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
Salesian Missions – Brazil
World Bank – Brazil
