Brazilian volunteer missions support Amazon and Pernambuco communities

The Catholic education network Grupo UBEC partnered with the Diocese of Cruzeiro do Sul to run its first Volunteer Mission, "Caminhar Juntos, Arder Corações," from June 29 to July 11. Fifty‑eight volunteers from ten Brazilian states visited the Amazonian towns of Cruzeiro do Sul, Mâncio Lima, Rodrigues Alves and Tarauacá, engaging with indigenous schools, social institutions, parishes and health centers. The mission emphasized the social role of Catholic education, echoing Pope Francis' call for solidarity.

Separately, the Centro Universitário da Serra Gaúcha (FSG) and the Karibu initiative organized student expeditions in July. In the Amazon, veterinary students provided animal health care to the Kambeba community of Três Unidos, while multidisciplinary health‑science students served the Sertão de Pernambuco community of Barro Branco with medical triage, vaccinations, counseling and health‑education activities. Both projects reported lasting impacts through material donations and continued community engagement after the trips.