Project provides healthy food, teaches about the environment

(MissionNewswire) Students at Recanto da Cruz Grande, located in Itapevi in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, have been working on a garden as a food source. Over the last several months, the students prepared the seedlings and the soil, planted, and looked after the garden. They were excited recently at harvest time when they were able to pick what they had grown.

A Salesian said, “This project is part of one of our Guardians workshops. In addition to harvesting, the students washed the food and gave it to our cook, who will lovingly prepare a special dish so that they can taste what they themselves have planted. The aim is to encourage healthier eating and teach youth to work with, respect, and cultivate the environment.”

Recanto da Cruz Grande offers elementary education and socio-educational activities for children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 in the region. Recanto da Cruz Grande is committed to strengthening family ties, encouraging community coexistence and promoting citizenship.

Salesian missionaries in Brazil provide education, workforce development and social services throughout the country. 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.

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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Photo courtesy of Don Bosco Green Alliance

Don Bosco Green Alliance – Harvest time at Recanto da Cruz Grande, Brazil

Recanto da Cruz Grande

Salesian Missions – Brazil

World Bank – Brazil