Kupang – “On the island of Flores, small miracles have very human dimensions: a packet of rice, a school notebook, a door and a window instead of a chain, a center for lonely and abandoned people, a house for students far from home. All of this allows us missionaries to transform simple gestures into lasting change: serenity, education, support, and dignity,” said Father Luigi Galvani, a Camillian missionary, in a report to Fides, referring to the World Day of the Poor, which will be celebrated on November 16. “For us Camillian missionaries in Indonesia, this day is the culmination of a year full of small signs of hope and concrete acts of charity.”
“On the island of Flores, the Camillians live their charism where vulnerability is most evident: alongside the sick, the poor, and families who struggle daily for their dignity,” adds the missionary, who, after years of service on Flores, moved to the St. Camillus Social Center in Kupang, Indonesian Timor, a few weeks ago.
“The Camillians combine basic medical care with listening, spiritual guidance, and social initiatives for those excluded from public services or living in remote villages.”
“The generous support of many donors has brought about numerous small miracles of charity throughout the year, thanks to which various initiatives have been launched to benefit the poorest and most abandoned,” the missionary emphasizes. “Thus, 160 needy children and their families received monthly food aid in the form of rice, oil, pulses, and other basic foodstuffs. This was not just food, but also security and a sense of security, allowing them to cope with life’s challenges with serenity and hope. Furthermore, several mentally ill individuals who had been confined for extended periods rediscovered their freedom in dignified accommodations with a bed and toilet, a space previously unknown to them ; 30 poor students received small scholarships, uniforms, notebooks, and school fees, enabling them to continue their education and dream of a better future.”
“Among other initiatives,” the missionary explains, “the construction of the ‘San Camillo’ House of Charity is currently underway near our seminary. It will provide free accommodation, basic medical care, and social support for abandoned or homeless people. A reception center near the city will offer young students from remote villages on the island a place to stay. They will be provided with a clean bed, academic support, and a community that will help them grow.”
Father Galvani concludes by noting that behind every project are faces, stories, and smiles rediscovered. “The solidarity of generous donors has not only transformed the lives of many poor people but has also inspired us missionaries to serve with a more missionary and evangelical heart.”
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