Social Action at PRÓ-VIDA celebrates 47 Years
Social Action at PRÓ-VIDA celebrates 47 Years
This October, Social Action at PRÓ-VIDA celebrated 47 years. It is a story that began in 1979, when Dr. Celso Charuri held the first Donation Ceremony in the city of Birigui, Brazil, in an act of love for one’s neighbor, a path toward building a better world.
Inspired by his example, PRÓ-VIDA participants began making other donations through the work of the Centers for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Italy, and Portugal. The Centers, each operating in its own country and guided by the same Ideal, have already benefited 14,000 charitable institutions.
To celebrate this journey, there is no better way than to honor the conceiver of the Movement, Dr. Celso, by carrying his gesture forward. For this reason, donations were made in five countries: Bolivia (Oct. 10), Argentina (Oct. 11), Brazil (Oct. 17), Chile (Oct. 24), and Portugal (Oct. 31).
Campinas, Brazil
The Ceremonies
“Those who have give to those who do not, a simple and generous law. If we have greater capacity, more resources, greater intelligence, let us demonstrate this greater capacity by helping those who have less and suffer because of it,” said Luis Enrique Sauma, representative of Central del Diezmo PRÓ-VIDA de Bolivia (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Bolivia), at the event held at the PRÓ-VIDA Center in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.
On that occasion, five institutions were benefited. Their representatives, who attended the event, commented on the impact of the gesture on the people they assist. “I am amazed by the great blessing of being able to benefit the children, who will have a different future,” said Elizabeth Mamani Tito, from Asociacion Civil Mi Bendicion.
In Argentina, the donation was held at the PRÓ-VIDA Club in Baradero, with seven institutions benefited by Central del Diezmo PRÓ-VIDA de Argentina – CDA (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Argentina – CDA) “(…) behind every ceremony, there is an act of solidarity and love for others, and that makes us deeply proud,” said Silvana Losia, from Centro Comunitário Esportivo Nestor Kirchner.
The items are purchased through voluntary, spontaneous, and anonymous donations that express people’s desire to do something to help make the world better. These are people who are able to look at their surroundings and, in a way, even feel responsible for what happens around them because they have reached an expanded consciousness. “(Dr. Celso) showed us that (…) only a better person will create a better environment around them,” commented Marcelo Landolfo, representative of CDA.
How Can We Become Better People?
To help people in this process, Dr. Celso founded PRÓ-VIDA, with a program whose method builds a path of knowledge—and recognition—through mind training and development. “(…) if man does not leave the dimension in which he finds himself, he will never be able to discover the beauty that lies within him and the beauty that surrounds him. By training the mind and applying the philosophy received, we expand our consciousness (…)”, said Luis Enrique.
And, quoting Dr. Celso’s teachings, he added that “wealth is having matter whenever that matter is given and when the principle of Goodness is present.” Therefore, we can say that to be truly happy is synonymous with giving happiness.
A Gesture That Renews Hope
We do what we do to set an example of the path to happiness, as highlighted by Fernando Janikian, representative of the Central Geral do Dízimo PRÓ-VIDA (General Center for the Tithe – PRÓ-VIDA, CGD-PV), during the ceremony held in Campinas, Brazil, which benefited 88 institutions. “These donations are not going to solve the institutions’ problems because they are material things; one day, they come to an end. Our objective is to set an example that a conscious person—indeed, such a person—builds a better world; and that happiness is possible,” he said.
The representatives of the institutions commented on the feeling of hope they experienced during the ceremony. “Seeing this group of people gathered together, everything you do with all the institutions, gives us more and more hope that our country has a way forward through our own citizenship (…). It is we, united, who can make a difference. I am certain that philanthropy is love for humanity, and here we see humanity being represented, because we only recognize ourselves as human when we do something for someone (…) Love multiplies when it is shared,” said Leonardo Gontijo Vieira Gomes, representative of Instituto Mano Down, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.
Vocational Schools
Throughout its history, in addition to the items donated in different countries by their respective Centers, 17 vocational schools have already been built and donated. The project, conceived by Dr. Celso, aims to provide young people with opportunities to pursue a profession and a better life.
The school project is also made possible by the voluntary and anonymous donations of thousands of people. “More than values and numbers, what we find there is love,” commented Gabriel Nuñez, representative of Central del Diezmo PRÓ-VIDA de Chile (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Chile), at the ceremony held at the PRÓ-VIDA Center in Santiago.
The event formalized the donation to two local institutions. Their representatives expressed their gratitude for the gesture, which will enable them to improve the quality of the services they already provide, particularly in the areas of health, education, and music.
Leiria, Portugal
This same feeling of gratitude was expressed by representatives of the institutions benefited in Portugal, where vehicles were donated to two institutions that directly assist 2,000 people. The event was held at the PRÓ-VIDA Center in Leiria.
On behalf of Central do Dízimo PRÓ-VIDA de Portugal (Center for the Tithe PRÓ-VIDA of Portugal), Américo Vieira emphasized that the donation of the items does not encompass the full scope of the social action. “Dr. Celso Charuri taught us, through his example, that (…) there was a premise that humanity had gotten wrong: that by trying to change the environment, the world would become better. That is not true. Man has been trying to do this for millennia through different laws, different political systems, economic systems, and the result is what we see—it has not been successful. Therefore, there is only one way, which is to change man, to have a better man. And a better man, indeed, creates a better environment,” Américo explained.
This is the premise of PRÓ-VIDA, conceived and organized by physician and philosopher Dr. Celso Charuri, who deeply studied the human mind, seeking ancient knowledge and organizing it into a Reason that transforms lives.
To learn more about Dr. Celso, click here; and to learn more about the Centers, click here.
