Fundraising by Melissa Tacconi

María Madre Acogedora:

This is the family house of the Pope John XXIII Community where I had the privilege of being welcomed as a volunteer for two months. The house is located in Valdivia , a city in the Chilean Pampas south of the capital , Santiago. I immediately felt welcomed as a daughter, as I call them "hermana de comunidad."

Love, joy, sharing are the words with which I would describe this huge and wonderful family, which for many years now , has been welcoming children and young people from various fragile, poor, sometimes desperate realities of Chile . I would like to thank mom Jaqueline and dad Tito who have passed on to me how fundamental for them is affection, 'altruism and listening, and especially their extreme, and delicate, patience in trying to understand these kids who, with their difficulties, are in dire need of feeling loved, cared for and wanted well.

Right now they need your help to buy a new car that will serve not only their family to be able to move around independently, but also Tito to distribute the Food Network food boxes to different families and those in need.

Every child has the right to have a roof over their head, to have warm clothes to cover themselves with, in having the possibility of hot food to share and enjoy together at a table, and above all to have a father and mother who care for them. Tito and Jaqueline with their vocation enable all this....

In addition, I was also able to learn about another project in the area:"Manos bajo la lluvia," which allows about 15 differently fragile boys and girls, psychiatric or with critical situations, to be able to get involved by sharing lúdico-recreational moments. Through community and sharing experiences, these differently abled boys and girls manage to convey all the love and passion they have in the things they do, showing courage and willingness to show themselves for what they are: wonderful people.

I take home from this experience that in the world there are no families, or perfect people: the world is beautiful because it is varied, and each of us can contribute to make it even more beautiful, through free love. And fortunately there are people with huge hearts who have no limits in 'loving and giving boundless love. Grateful to have lived with you, because you reminded me that there is so much beauty in this world!

Solo se muere quando se olvida y nunca olvidaré . Nunca es demasiado tarde para hacer lo que amas (_You only die when you forget and never will I forget. It is never too late to do what you love_)

HELP ME SUPPORT THEIR PROJECT.

Volunteering is medicine for the heart and soul ❤️