Pedro Paulo Tonin (photo), a Spiritist since 2002, lives in his hometown of Bauru, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo, where he works as a barber. He is a volunteer worker in three Spiritist organisations and is the president of the Chico Xavier Association (Associação Chico Xavier, or ACX) for the Dissemination of Spiritism. In this interview, he speaks about his work at the organisation and Chico’s Radio, which he founded.

When was the Chico Xavier Association founded and what is its main goal?

It was founded on June 8^th, 2005. Our main goal is to use the media to help disseminate the principles of Spiritism and other moral principles.

What have you achieved since its foundation all those years ago?

For the past five years we have promoted the Spiritist Book Fair at Bauru’s shopping centre. We have taken Spiritism out of Spiritist Centres and given people the opportunity of having contact with Spiritis books. We also have a second-hand book stall in one of the biggest markets of Bauru. This experience makes it easier for us to have contact with other people in a simple, fraternal and welcoming way in a space shared by everyone.

What is your main project now?

We had the 2018 Spiritist Book Fair, which took place at the Boulevard Shopping-Bauru, in April. We have also launched our web radio station, “Rádio do Chico” (Chico’s Radio), which will unite all Spiritists around the same aim: to disseminate and learn from the Spiritist Teachings. Good deeds generates good deeds.

How has the Chico Xavier Association helped in the dissemination of Spiritism in your city and the region?

The Association promotes many activities that help the dissemination of Spiritism. We broadcast live talks by many Spiritist speakers. When Divaldo Franco came to our city, more than 20,000 people accessed our Facebook page. We have also been using the social networks to broadcast events and we help distribute “A Tribuna do Espiritismo,” a Spiritist newspaper, to all Spiritist organisations in Bauru and the whole region.

What is your best memory of all the work with ACX?

To support our Spiritist organisation, we opened a second-hand clothes shop, BreChico, in a property owned by a friend. We open it every week to sell clothes, shoes and furniture. It is an official charity, which also help the population, as we offer items for a lower price and we also donate to socially vulnerable families.

What are the Association’s plans?

We are focused on the web radio station, Chico’s Radio. It will help disseminate Spiritism locally and it will broadcast programmes focused on the study of Spiritism, good music and the arts. The aim is to strengthen the good words, attitudes and thoughts through the Spiritist Teachings.

How can people help support ACX?

Anyone who wants can become a member and help our activities. For those who want to make a donation, they can contact us through the website, radiodochico.com.br, or through telephone number + 55 14 32411857.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to share the joy that I feel during the voluntary work I do. I am in the Spiritist Movement to serve others. That makes me learn to look inside me and to look for the energy to deal with the most diverse situations. I can, this way, look at other people and work to be useful to them, following the pathway of truth that I believe has been given to us by Jesus.