The Daughters of Charity's initiative to serve street people was launched in 2020, to ensure access to hygiene at the height of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Sister Patricia da Silva Gomes tells:

"In 2021, we submitted the project 'A Charity Shower' to the Rosalie Projects platform.

Our priority needs were to be able to buy all the hygiene items necessary for the proper functioning of our mobile showers made available to the homeless in the region.

Thanks to you, dear donors, we received the funds on 10 March 2022. We were able to buy towels, nappies, children's clothes, meat for quality meals, non-perishable foodstuffs...

The vulnerability of people living on the streets and food insecurity are growing problems in our country and the 'Charity Shower' project has had a positive impact on the glaring reality of poverty.

Basic necessities such as access to a shower, hygiene products, clean clothes and health care were for the street population a luxury out of reach before this project.

Access to hygiene and daily nutrition has reduced the transmission of parasitic and dermatological diseases, and has contributed to the immunity of this population by preventing viral diseases.

The project is transformative, restoring a sense of dignity to street people.

The number of beneficiaries is constantly increasing

We receive 120 people a day from Monday to Friday, and on Thursdays twice as many because we also have a morning reception.

We offer at least 720 meals and showers a week, and we receive more than 3,000 homeless people a month, including many children.

In the 2021 census carried out by the Human Rights Secretariat of the city of Fortaleza, the number of homeless and food insecure people is estimated to have increased by 54% due to the economic crisis in our country.

The beautiful testimonies

Cicero das Chagas has been living on the street for 10 years and is very grateful for the impact of this project on his life:

"Before we had no place to maintain good hygiene and to feed ourselves. Now with the Daughters of Charity project we have clean clothes, a daily shower, hygiene materials... things that make us feel acceptable. When we are sick, the sisters look after us and heal our wounds, they also listen to our stories and comfort us so that we do not feel invisible in society. The best moment of the day is when they come to meet us!"

Januario Bezerra has been living on the street for over 20 years and says:

"Hunger hurts a lot... But today we are sure that the Sisters do not let us die of hunger or thirst anymore. When we are hungry, they come with good food, tasty and quality food. We all know that everything the Sisters do is good and of good quality because they do it with love."

« The showers of charity are our joy! We have the certainty of not being judged for our poverty, but of being welcomed and cared for by the hands of the Sisters, before sleeping cleanly and smelling good. » (Josivaldo Cruz).

The Mission of the Daughters of Charity to the poor

God in his scriptures reveals to us that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35), we are encouraged by the Father to give, whether it be our time, resources, talents and skills, in short, everything God has given us.

The Rosalie Projects donors have touched many hearts, like a two-way street: GIVING AND RECEIVING! They touch hearts beyond geographical borders that welcome, delight, surprise, help and above all LOVE.

A very big thank you to the donors for their charity without borders!