Christina counts her blessings
Photo: Kolibri
A little over a year ago when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Brazil, an already difficult life became harder.
"The pandemic has been hard on me. Since March last year, I have only had a paid work for a couple of weeks. I was left with very little, and could not always feed my children during the pandemic", says Christina with a serious look. She meets us a warm day in March. The sun is high in the sky as we hear the sound of mopeds in the distance while the stench of the open sewer, the "river" flows behind Christina's house in Diadema, São Paulo.
"I'm alone with the children. I have not received help from anyone. " Christina is 37 years old, and works as a cleaner at the local school which is closed due to the pandemic. Christina was born and raised in the house she lives in. It was inheritance when her mother died. The father of the seven was just released from prison. He does not help Christina put food on the table. The two eldest sons aged 18 and 15, have thrown their father out and forbid him to return. He is a drug addict.
"During the pandemic I have managed to make some money here and there. I have spent the money on food and internet for my children, so they could get the homeschooling Kolibri provides. I myself have gone hungry».
Suddenly everyday life changed for the family. "I was overjoyed when I heard the news that Kolibri handed out food baskets. The baskets full of fruit, vegetables, meat and grain have saved me. I do not know what I would have done without Kolibri» says Christina who thinks Kolibri has changed the lives of an entire generation in the slums around the Kolibri centers.
For Christina, Kolibri is the solution. All her children have participated in center activities. Kolibri Brasil and Christina became acquainted more than twenty years ago.
"Kolibri has filled the heads of my children with good and healthy thoughts. They have hope for the future and an outlet for all their energy. Instead of hanging in the streets while I'm at work, they stay at the Kolibri centers with good adult role models.”
“My dream is that my children have a better life than I. Kolibri has supported me as a mother in giving my children the best possible conditions in life," says Christina.
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