Jamiro dos Santos Filho (photo) is known as a Spiritist lecturer and author across the country. He was born in Anápolis, in the Brazilian state of Goiás, but has lived in Araguari, in the state of Minas Gerais, for many years. He is a member of the Spiritist Centre he founded 25 years ago, under the inspiration and guidance of the great medium, Chico Xavier. When did you have the idea of opening the Spiritist Centre Nosso Lar? In 1985, my wife Luci and I gathered every week for the Gospel in the Home meeting. Little by little other family members began to join us, and

eventually the room was packed. That’s when we thought about opening a Spiritist Centre. In the beginning of 1986, our spiritual benefactors sent us a message saying our family had made a commitment before reincarnating to open a Spiritist Centre. So, after receiving that revelation, we opened the Spiritist Centre Nosso Lar, in February 1986.

Has it always been in the same address?

Yes. When we opened the Spiritist Centre, it was all a dream. We didn’t have the land. In September 86, the local authorities donated a plot of land and we began building. The new building was opened in January 1987. It was like a big party for our hearts. Our address is Rua Padre Gusmão, 140, Paraíso, Araguari, Minas Gerais.

How about the idea of having a school functioning at the same address?

Jesus was merciful enough to allow me to have regular contact with Chico Xavier. I used to visit him in the company of some friends at least four to six times a year. We used to stay up till the small hours of the day. In 94, I told Chico that we had been donated a plot of land and that I was planning to open a home for the homeless there. He looked into my eyes, held my hand and told me that our commitment was to open a school. I was surprised, but he insisted and said the school should function in the same building as the Spiritist Centre. That would help break a taboo against Spiritism. So we went ahead and on October 3^rd 1994, paying tribute to Allan Kardec, we opened what has become Colégio Dom Bosco.

Is it like any other school?

Yes, we go all the way to year nine and have now 280 students. Chico Xavier told us at the time that the school must be a haven for poor children whenever possible. So we now have low-income pupils on scholarships. Our aim is to expand our activities to other areas of education. We have a long way ahead. We began 17 years ago and know how much else needs to be done.

Are there any Spiritist activities at the school?

We don’t have necessarily Spiritist lessons. Chico Xavier said that the aim of the school is to teach Spiritism, but to overcome prejudice. He said that the children who go through the school might not become Spiritists, but they won’t be against the Doctrine. Their parents would also develop a different view of Spiritism, without preconceived ideas, and that has been the case.

How do you combine the activities of the school and the Spiritist Centre, as they share the same physical space?

During the day, the school takes over the whole area. In the evening, we carry out the regular meetings of the Spiritist Centre, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The dental practice is in the same area and attends low-income families. We assist on average 100 people a month. The pupils and their parents all become aware of the charity work we do and realise that we are helping those who need the most. The patio and the canteen, which during weekdays are used by the students, become a restaurant for the homeless and the poor on Saturday. We serve there about 200 portions of soup every week. As you can see, the school and the Spiritist Centre coexist very well.

The 25^th anniversary marked a big achievement for all of you. Tell us about that.

There’s no doubt that being able to celebrate 25 years of continuing work was a big joy for our hearts. We are aware that what we are doing is a drop in the ocean, and yet we feel gratified when we look back and see that for the last 25 years we’ve been involved in a work of love. We celebrated the anniversary with a simple, down to earth ceremony, but full of love and fraternity. Some of our friends came to Araguari to embrace us and strengthen our hearts so we can carry on with our job.

How important was Chico Xavier to the creation of the institution?

We can’t deny Chico Xavier’s huge influence, not only in the foundation of the school, but also in guiding our steps and encouraging us to persevere. We went back to him a couple of times after opening the school, when we were facing some difficult times. We told him we would have to close down the school. But on both occasions he said: “Carry on a bit longer, keep trying.” And he added: “We, Spiritists, must prove that we are able to contribute to the education of the world, as other religions even have their own universities.” So we carried on. Chico’s influence could be perceived in many other activities of our Centre. We always tried to incorporate his mild approach, typical of his native Minas Gerais, guide our activities.

Tell us about the human promotion activities you have at the school and the Spiritist Centre.

It is carried out in conjunction with Spiritist Groups across Brazil. Our activities are quite straightforward. We study the Doctrine in open meetings, we read the Gospel and we have healing sessions. We also have regular theoretical courses for children, teenagers and adults. We also carry out charity and aid work, providing soup to those who need, and also blankets and coats in the winter. Part of the school income is spent on scholarships for pupils from low-income families. As Chico Xavier reminded us, “the income from the school must be reinvested in the school; any extra income should be used to help poorer children.” And that has been the way. We would like to do more, of course, but we feel we are doing what we can.

What else would you like to add?

We realise, after 25 years of activities at the Spiritist Centre and 17 at the school, Dom Bosco, that no one does anything alone. It has been a time of joy that has made our eyes shine. But we were never alone in our job. How many hearts made themselves available so that we could achieve what we have achieved? And how many are still helping us so that the work of Jesus can carry on? We can’t quantify the help we have received to get where we are. My final words are of gratitude to all at Grupo Nosso Lar. It’s to them that I deliver the fruits of this small work of love.