Andrea – Volunteer at St. Michael Mission
A dream come true
After so long dreaming of that moment, the day had finally come — my departure for Brazil.
Inside me, there was only one certainty: I wanted to be there, in person, to witness the extraordinary work that the St. Michael Mission carries out every day to transform the future of hundreds of children.
I arrived at night, welcomed by Marco. I couldn’t wait for the next morning to begin my visit to the mission.
The children’s joyful welcome
The mission includes schools, gyms, a church, a dining hall, and the Home for the Elderly.
I was greeted by the contagious joy of the children, who laughed out loud as they heard me pronounce their names in Italian.
During my stay, they organized special events just for me: a concert, Jiu-Jitsu demonstrations, and artistic gymnastics performances.
What a show! They were amazing!
A small gift from the heart
Among all the activities, one touched me deeply — the visit to the kindergarten.
About 210 children, aged between two and six, full of energy and curiosity.
In that little world filled with colors, games, and cheerful voices, there was Luca.
He came up to me with a big smile and said he had a gift for me.
He pulled out of his pocket a fruit juice sticker, with his teacher’s name and a hand-drawn heart on it. “It’s for you,” he said. I still keep that small gift — to me, it’s worth more than many other things.
Many of the children welcomed by the mission come from very difficult family and social situations: poverty, abandonment, violence. But thanks to the tireless work of the educators, who follow them with dedication and love, these children start smiling again.
They regain confidence, discover their talents, and begin to hope once more.
A bridge between generations
One of the most beautiful initiatives is the one that brings children together with the elderly guests of the mission. Yes, because even the elderly are often abandoned on the streets, forgotten. The mission welcomes them into the Home for the Elderly, a place full of love and dignity, where they can spend time with the children, play together, and share their stories. It’s a bridge between generations, a wonderful idea that enriches everyone.
The reality of the favelas
Another powerful part of my experience was visiting the favelas.
Among dirt roads and shacks without basic services, I met very young mothers and listened to painful stories, discovering the harsh reality many children come from.
And yet, even in the midst of suffering, there shines the hope offered by the St. Michael the Archangel Mission — where every activity, from schooling to sports and games, is designed to give children back their future.
Marco and his team show every day that love can truly change the world, one child at a time.
Final reflection
For me, it was a gift to be there.
A precious and moving experience that left a deep mark on my heart and a strong desire to share it — and to keep supporting it even more.
Thank you, Marco. Thank you, St. Michael the Archangel Mission. Obrigado!