Anna Irrera: [Translated from Italian] I arrived in Salvador, Brazil for the first time when I was twelve years old, accompanying my parents for the adoption of my brother, Pedro. For various complications I remained in Bahia for almost four months. In that period we learned of the work of an Italian Jesuit in Liberdade, one of the many neighborhoods of the city. Among the various activities of the center, it provided housing for families, approximately 100 children, from birth to 18 years. Back in Italy, my parents decided to give help by establishing a voluntary association (now NGO) to raise funds and promote the projects undertaken in Brazil.
Thus, the summer of 1998, we returned to Brazil twice a year, often for long periods.
And these children, with a history so different from mine, have become my friends, and helped me grow up. I have seen many choose the right path, finding the strength to fight against their perennial insecurities and difficulties of daily life. Others have failed to get rid of the nightmares of the past and find shelter from the storms of this. All, however, have told me something.
This experience has made me the person I am now. It gave me the lens through which to view the world. It has convinced me that the right to family and education are crucial, just like the right to food.
I have often wondered how I could give something back to all the people that have given me so much. The opportunity presented itself while I spent a semester at Harvard University in 2007 where, among other courses, I took Human Rights. As a final thesis I decided to tell the stories of these children, giving a small voice to all those whom the world ignores. From this study and a series of lucky encounters comes this book.
The book is currently only available in Italian, so it’s good practice for those who want to refresh! Stay connected to the above website for any additional updates!
