BEYOND EMERGENCY

Where inequalities generate a continuous emergency for children and young people who end up on the street, families in poverty, the elderly ... projects, structures, aid, to try to go further, give answers to need, create solid bridges between different communities.

Progetto attivo dal 2001, e a continuare

Father Witold Szulczynski, a Polish Salesian priest, has been in Georgia since the birth of the new state. To intervene with tenacious commitment on the many emergencies of widespread poverty, but always also working to overcome them, with a real evolution of conditions: the improvement of the health situation, the commitment to the socio-educational and professional growth of marginalized children of the capital Tbilisi and of other cities of the country. The long history of collaboration with him stems from Ernesto Olivero's friendship with Pope John Paul II, who asked to support Father Witold’s work. For many years, he was involved in the relationship with Caritas Georgia, that Father Witold directed for a long time. Many aids were sent, in dozens of containers in support of the hundreds of people who access every day the canteens, the schools, the recovery and assistance.

With a very large deployment of resources, a large structure was then entirely built to provide housing and training for a hundred children on the streets: “Our home”. This structure, in very functional rooms, also hosts other projects: canteen for the elderly and the needy (700 meals a day in addition to guests), youth centers (more than 300 participants), training schools, rehabilitation and therapeutic assistance, and professional craft workshops .

The work then continued with initiatives personally promoted by Father Witold, and then by the Salesian Community which he now leads. A substantial flow of aids continues for recurring 'emergencies' among the poor - food, clothing, sanitary and hygiene material - especially to overcome the last part of the cold season, the one of greatest scarcity - and for the home care which has been organized for over 200 sick elderly people. Some of the material sent - clothes, shoes, other - also serve the needs of operators and health personnel.

And more, equipment for the hospitality and materials for the specific additional projects defined together. A lot of school material and several computer rooms: because being excluded from school may have no remedy, and one can not remain extraneous to a world that is increasingly complex everywhere.

Sewing machines for creating business opportunities; relevant agricultural development initiatives, which have been equipped with a photovoltaic system and equipment.

BUILDING BRIDGES

Experience suggests that many 'small' actions for those in need are stones that form bridges of solidarity to strongly support 'bridges' of communication, which overcome even very deep chasms.

The Georgian Catholic community is small but well integrated and in good relations with the Orthodox Christian majority, which appreciates its commitment, and takes it a bit as a 'model' of intervention.

Every action carried out is addressed without distinction of religious affiliation: every response that can be given therefore takes on a particular and very important meaning in helping to build new relationships between people. And, in particular, precisely between the Catholic and Orthodox communities, with which initiatives and aid are shared. To enrich the differences, in a renewed climate of friendship and trust, which will build bridges again and again.

Associazione Sermig Re.Te. per lo Sviluppo – Arsenale della Pace, Piazza Borgo Dora 61 Torino

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