Marcos Guazzelli Neto: 

“Voluntary work is high quality healing therapy” 

The president of the Colônia Espírita Fraternidade, linked to the eponymous Spiritist Centre in the Brazilian city of Avaré, talks about the importance of volunteer world

	Marcos Guazzelli Neto (photo) was born in a Spiritist family in the city of Avaré, in Brazil’s São Paulo state, where he still lives. He has a degree in History, but is a businessman and works in the dairy industry. He is the current president of the Colônia Espírita Fraternidade, which is linked to the eponymous Spiritist Centre. The organisation helps
150 boys aged from 7 to 15. Marcos spoke to us about the work at Fraternidade:

How does it feel to do all that work in the city of the late Herculano Pires, one of the great Spiritist names in Brazil? 

We keep contact with his family here in Avaré. His sister, Marília Pires, read poems in the inauguration ceremony of our organisation, Colônia Espírita Fraternidade (Fraternity Spiritist Organisation). His daughter comes often to the city and gives speeches. Herculano Pires was a pioneer of Spiritism, a missionary, and we are very proud that he had the opportunity to do his amazing work in this city. 

What is the history of the Colônia? 

From the time I attend a Spiritist Youth Group, I longed for the opportunity to work with children. The idea grew until finally three people – Marli Fortaleza, Luiz Augusto de Freitas (Guto) and me – went ahead and made the first step. The group has survived and grown thanks to the continuing dedication of so many people. 

What services do you provide there? 

Based on official data from the local social services, we realised that there was a lack of programmes to help boys aged from 7 to 15. We decided to focus on that particular group. We provide assistance – education – nowadays to 150 boys. Volunteers carry out all the maintenance and support work, while professional educators are hired, according to their specialities, to get the children trained in various trades. That is why we get such good results. Our trainers are well-qualified professionals, with degrees in various areas. 

You get big attendances for your open Spiritist meetings and talks. How do you get such impressive results? 

We do indeed get good attendances, especially if take into account the fact that Avaré is not a big city. I believe that is due to honest, hard work of so many people, who are serious and motivated. A put emphasis on the themes of charity and inner reform, getting good results with those who come to our Spiritist Centre in search of comforting and guidance. People these days live in a self-centred, individualistic world. Here they find out that voluntary work, done in conjunction with study groups, is high quality healing therapy. 

Tell us a bit more about your work with young people. 

As I said, it all began when I was member of our Youth Group. I was always very close to young people and I have tried to encourage young people to get involved as much as they can in activities in the Spiritist Movement. I am positive about that: the Spiritist Movement and our Colônia will only carry on if the young are trained to succeed us. After all, they have so much energy. As for me and other workers here, we will very soon lack the strength to carry on. Old age, by the way, comes very quickly. 

What are your plans for the near future? 

Our next challenge is to get the families engaged in the effort to get their children through a profound transformation. We need to get the families on board so that, together, we are able to create the proper conditions for all family members to atone their pasts and move forward in their Spiritual progression. 

Is there anything else you would like to share with us from your experience at the organisation? 

The land where the organisation is now was acquired in the 1960s by a Spiritist Group from our city. It was only after 30 years that we finally began our project with the children there. That Spiritist Group donated at the time a beautiful painting of Jesus Christ to be hanged on the entrance of a psychiatric hospital that was due to be built in the land. That painting is now hanging in the children’s canteen. That, to me, shows so clearly that the Spiritual Benefactors are guiding us and creating the conditions for us to carry out our work over here. It is a collective work, of a Council of members, trustees, who make the decisions together. I thank God and Our Master Jesus, and all the Spiritual World, for their trust on us. All the best to you and I invite all the readers to come and visit us here in Avaré.