Marilda Budoia de Aguiar Silva (photo), a Spiritist since 1989, works as a volunteer at the Amor e Caridade (Love and Charity) Spiritist Centre in her hometown of Cafelândia, in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. She is the coordinator of mediumship studies. In this interview she shares her experiences in the Spiritist Movement. 

Cafelândia is a town in the northwest of the state of São Paulo, lying some 420 km from the state capital, with a population of 17,500 inhabitants. The biggest event in Cafelândia is the well-known CAFEARTES, an arts fair now in its 36^th edition. It takes place every year in the month of September, during the Brazil independence celebrations (7^th September). Our economy is based on agriculture and cattle raising. More recently, a plant for the production of alcohol and ethanol has been opened in town, and the production of sugar cane has become an important element in our economy. Cafelândia also has a number of modern small and medium-sized industries that help support the local economy.  

How many Spiritist organisations are there in Cafelândia and who was the first to take the Teachings to the town? 

We only have one Spiritist organisation in town. The first one was founded in the 1920s, named Bezerra de Menezes Spiritist Centre, led by José de Souza Gaia and his wife, Primo Borin, Carlos Ferreira da Rocha and others. It was officially registered in the Brazilian Spiritist Federation on July 14^th 1925, under the name of Amor e Caridade. Its president was then Arthur Genari. 

What influence do neighbouring cities have on the local Spiritist Movement? 

The biggest influence we have is from the neighbouring city of Lins, where the headquarters of the regional USE (Union of Spiritist Societies) is based. We also benefit from the continuous assistance from Casa dos Espíritas in Lins, with its study groups, talks, lectures and its book club. 

What activities and services do you offer in the Love and Charity Spiritist Centre? 

We have study groups, arts groups, book fairs, mediumship groups and a department dedicated to social assistance and charity (preparing clothes and other items for newborn babies and gathering clothes to donate to children in need in the area). 

Is there special activity that you would like to highlight? 

We have special meetings where our choir Vozes Vida peforms, with an excellent repertoire of Spiritist music. And I would like to highlight the fact that we produced 1,600 items of child clothing in a year and collected 3,000 Kg of food to donate to people in need. Another event that is well worth mentioning is the Spiritist book fair, which is held during the annual arts fair (CAFEARTES) and has achieved excellent results. 

What does Spiritism represent in your life? 

The Spiritist Teachings have awaken in me a new way of understanding life and the need to work for the benefit of other people. 

Is there anything you would like to add? 

Each one of us can serve or help in their own way. Do not sit down and wait. Go out and volunteer to help, without being summoned. These are the guidelines I have received and that I am sharing here.