1979, at the Buraco do sapo in San Paulo – Brazil

It was 1979. Sr. Annamaria Pusca had been destined for the north of Brazil, but as soon as she arrived in her new mission land, she had spent three months in São Paulo to learn the language and adapt to the new way of life. In the photo there is me, Sr. Gabriella Ravanelli, on my right is Sr. Annamaria Pusca and behind me is Sr. Giannina Monti, at the time Provincial of South Brazil.

We were visiting families in the favela of ‘Buraco do Sapo’, in English ‘hole of the toad’. It was a favela in São Paulo that was very dangerous because of the gang wars that fought over drug trafficking and the presence of the death squad. Sr. Annamaria, without being intimidated, introduced herself as a teacher to the adults for early literacy and little by little won their affection. It was difficult for them to go to school, where a uniform was required, which they did not have the money to buy.

That day we were visiting family after family, to identify who was most in need.

The inhabitants of Buraco do Sapo loved us very much. Deep in their souls, even the most violent bandits were good. Sr Annamaria and I had very profound and touching experiences in the favela of Buraco do Sapo: we did good to everyone and they respected us for it and because we had no other purpose but to help them.

Sr. Gabriella Ravanelli