São Paulo (Agenzia Fides) According to the Epidemology Bulletin on AIDS issued by the Brazilian Health Ministry in May 2000 in Brazil about 8,000 children under 13 were suffering from HIV/AIDS 1,500 in São Paulo alone.
The Padre Costanzo Dalbésio Society opened in memory of a much loved Italian Consolata missionary at Our Lady of Fatima di Imirim (São Paolo) is a response to a call launched by the Church in Brazil on the occasion of the 5th Latin American Mission Congress. The parish pastoral council decided to found a philanthropic association as a sign of faith in the process of transformation of society. The aim of the Padre Costanzo Dalbésio Society is social assistance in all its aspects: moral, material, intellectual and medical, supporting social works such as homes, professional training courses, assistance to poor families.
The Foundations funds two children’s homes for HIV+ children, Siloé Home and Suzanne Home where HIV+ children whose parents are unable to care for them receive all round assistance, medical care, schooling, cultural activities. Similar assistance is provided by the Talita Cum Infants Home which has 60 small children and the Imirim Social Assistance Centre for poor families.
The Homes are open all the year round but during school holiday time the children go to stay with their families or with volunteers who work at the homes who are about 80% of the staff. Each house has a co-ordinator to organise the work of the other volunteers. The work consists in guaranteeing the children a good quality of life, good, food, a clean home, regular attendance at school, medical care, medicine etc.
Each homes has a small infirmary where medicines are kept and prepared, a small school and library, a games room, support lessons to help the children with their home work. The children attend weekly catechism classes.
The Homes accommodate 15 children each for a total of 30 aged from newborn to 15 years. They are run completely by the parish through the Father Costanzo Dalbésio Society. (R.Z.) (3/4/2994 Agenzia Fides)