Fr. Brian O'Sullivan CSSR
Redemptorist Fathers
Parnaiba/Piaui, Brazil
Fr.
Brian O'Sullivan CSSR , Redemptorist Fathers,
works as Development Co-ordinator for Paróquia
Nossa Senhora de Fátima, in Parnaiba/Piaui,
Brazil.
During 2007, the main activities concentrated on
were in areas such as: lowering of infant
mortality rate; training and supervising health
and nutrition monitors; coordinating community
development courses; and management of a
resource centre for leadership training and
facilitation. This was mainly with families in
an urban or rural community setting, alongside
leaders or people with leadership potential from
communities and pastoral groups. In terms of the
"Infant and Young Child Pastoral" in Parnaiba,
this has continued to grow and helps 300
families - over 1,500 people. Monitoring their
nutrition and health is vital. There are 65
monitors who visit and train the families in
childcare and basic healthcare.
Families were encouraged to manage a communal
garden, which has a number of herbal plots that
are being used for medicines. Increased use of
home remedies is helping families counter
medical conditions such as worm infections and
other ailments. As part of the empowerment
process, 150 people took part in monthly
leadership courses which ran throughout the year
up to December. The courses covered issues such
as active citizenship, public speaking and
management training.
There is great demand within the community for
use of the Centre. As well as the leadership
courses, other courses include home economics,
herbal medicine, basic hygiene and physical
fitness. Our greatest challenge remains
motivating volunteer monitors and meeting their
needs and training. Overall, this is a program
that demonstratively reduces child mortality and
offers lesson learning to projects in other
countries.