BRAZIL: Salesian volunteer projects help provide clean water for Indigenous villages
New wells improve health, support communities
BRAZIL
(MissionNewswire) Volunteers with the Salesian-run Operation Mato Grosso in Brazil have been working to provide clean, safe water by building cisterns, installing pipelines, and seeking funds to drill new wells in Campo Grande for Xavante Indigenous villages. In addition, the Mobile Missionary Assistance project produces pumps adapted to each community, installs tanks, filters water, and promotes the responsible use of water resources.
The Mobile Missionary Assistance project maintains about 80 semi-artesian wells in what is known as the Xavante Special Indigenous Health District, which serves 26,000 people, and includes seven Indigenous territories, 14 municipalities, and 375 villages. The absence of artesian wells in the region has worsened health problems caused by drinking unsafe water.
Salesian deacon José Alves de Oliveira, who heads the initiative, said, “The challenges are many. I believe that collaboration between the public sector and various institutions, in this common effort, can be the way to solve the serious problem of water scarcity in the villages.”
The actions of Salesians and their collaborators have helped reduce deaths caused by waterborne diseases. Diarrheal diseases, vomiting, colic, and intestinal infections particularly affect the most vulnerable, such as children and the elderly. Over the last five years, the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health has developed 10 water supply projects for the Xavante, contracted three and carried out four geophysical surveys.
A Salesian noted, “We aim to expand our water projects to further improve health conditions and support communities, without compromising their identity and culture.”
Salesian missionaries in Brazil provide education, workforce development and social services throughout the country and specifically focus on children with disabilities within several programs. Missionaries help to meet the basic needs of poor youth, including street children, and provide them with an education and life skills to gain employment, break the cycle of poverty and lead productive lives.
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
Salesian Missions – Brazil
World Bank – Brazil
