The House was decorated for the Occasion to welcome Children, Teenagers, Families, Educators, Brothers, Former Students, Former Educators and Collaborators, and to Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of that Beautiful Work.
In an Atmosphere of Immense Joy, we enjoyed a Magic Show, learned about the History of the Foundation, paid tribute to the Brothers who dedicated their lives to the Community, and read Testimonies from Children and Teenagers about the Importance of the Center to them. It was a Wonderful Opportunity to remember with Gratitude the Generous Dedication of so many People to the Children of that Region.
A Memory that should be revived, which takes us back, first of all, to November 26th , 1983, when the Superior General, Brother Gaudeul, after his Pastoral Visit to the Province, invited us to Open a New House in Uruguay. An Invitation which found hearts ready to accept the Proposal and which, in January 1996, during the Provincial Chapter and with the Approval of the General Council, materialized with the Aim that “the Province would establish in Uruguay a Work in favor of the Most Destitute, in accordance with the Charism of the Institute”.
Then began a period of Research, Questioning, Contacting, and Waiting.
In April 1997, Father Juan Escalera, Chaplain of the La Mennais School, suggested contacting Bishop Wirz of Maldonado, who had welcomed the Community of Brothers from the School at that time: Victorino, Juan, Fernando, Guillermo and José María. He then met with Brother Luis, the Provincial at the time.
Following those Meetings, Cerro Pelado, Maldonado Nuevo, and San Carlos were selected as Potential Locations for the Missions. On June 15th of the same year, the Provincial Superior and his Council decided to request Permission from the Superior General and his Council to send a Community of Brothers to settle in the Maldonado Nuevo Region the following year, with the Mission of establishing an Educational Project there.
 |
 |
On March 9th, 1998, Brothers Guillermo, Benjamín, and Fernando attended a Meeting of the NGO Rescatando Sonrisas (Save Smiles), an Organization that aimed to minimize Violations of the Rights of Children and Adolescents. They participated in those Meetings every Week until December.
In October 1998, it was decided that the Community of Brothers in Montevideo would welcome an Additional Brother, released to provide Pastoral Service in Maldonado three or four days a Week. Brother Fernando accepted that Mission and, started in 1999, he worked from Thursday to Sunday in Maldonado Nuevo, leading Parish Life and connecting with the Local People and their Daily Lives. He was particularly close to two kind-hearted Women, Maruja and María, whom he affectionately nicknamed “Half Watermelons.”
In February 2000, Tutoring Sessions were added to the existing Activities, offered on Thursdays and Fridays, both Mornings and Afternoons. The Children were divided into two Groups: from First to Third Grade and from Fourth to Fifth Grade, for each Session. By August, Daily Attendance had reached 100 Children.
In February 2001, the Brothers’ Community, consisted of Fernando, Benjamín, and Wenceslao, settled in Maldonado. In March of the same year, the Children’s Club opened its Doors with 60 Enrolled Students, from First to Fifth Grade. The Volunteer Work of the First Educators was particularly Noteworthy. Later that year, a proposal was submitted to INAME Maldonado to obtain the Necessary Accreditation for the Children’s Club. They would have to wait a little longer.
 |
 |
In 2003, the Youth Center began operating in the Afternoon, with 16 Teenagers, some from the Children’s Club and others suggested by the Technical Team.
In 2007, following a call for Tenders to find premises for a Youth Center, an Agreement was signed in August with the INAU (National Institute for Children and Adolescents) for the Partial and Full Care of 50 Adolescents. The Move to the New Premises took place in November.
The following year, an Agreement was signed with INAU for the Children’s Club, thus enriching the Proposal that had been made.
And that’s not all. In November 2013, the move took place to the House which, to that day, welcomed Children and Teenagers to perpetuate that Initial Dream: “The Province would establish a Work in Uruguay for the benefit of the Most Destitute, in accordance with the Charism of the Institute.”
Thank you, Lord, for inspiring the Brothers with that First Invitation; thank you to those who, trusting in your Providential Love, took the First Steps; Thank you to those who forged Bonds and united the Desire to collaborate with those who were waiting to receive. Thanks to them all, it has been possible to accompany the Lives of so many Children, Adolescents, and Families during those 25 years.
Ana Victoria Draper