Emanoel Andrade (photo), was brought up in a Spiritist family in Mogi Mirim, in the state of São Paulo. Now retired from the bank where he used to work, Emanoel Andrade is the president of the Spiritist Centre he used to attend as a child. The Associação Espírita Jesus e Caridade (Jesus and Charity) helps mental patients who can’t live with their families due to the seriousness of their condition. Ninety percent of them aren’t even able to keep in touch with their relatives. In this interview he talks about the work carried out by the organisation:

It was founded by José Antônio Andrade Junior, with the main aim of helping people with mental illness. We now have 60 inpatients, people who need 24/7 care and are not able to live with their families. Many were abandoned by their relatives, others were abused and many are simply from poor families who can’t afford to look after them full time.  

What are the main challenges the Spiritist Centre faces?

It’s the lack of money, it’s falling constantly short of the resources we need to carry out our job. 

What have you learned from dealing with severely disabled people? 

Looking after other people brings about the true nature of human beings. When people are not looked after, they become broken people, they wither away, lose track of their lives and die. People must be careful at every stage of their lives, or they will damage themselves and destroy what is around them. But one must live that experience to learn. We need to respect other people and ourselves as human beings. We must learn to be caring. 

How is your organisation viewed by local community?

We are very well thought of and thoroughly integrated into our community. We organise fund-raising events throughout the year (auctions, bazaars, tradition parties) and in those occasions we often perceive how well liked our group is and how much the local population is willing to donate and help.

How many people work in your group?

We have now 80 people working with us. There is a multidisciplinary team, with doctors (a GP and a psychiatrist), nurses, a psychologist, therapists, social workers, a speech therapist, a nutritionist and a dentist. Those who wish to help us may become members and contribute with a regular sum. Those who want donate otherwise may get in touch via telephone + 55 19 38621448 or email lmnazare@dglnet.com.br.

What is your most memorable experience the organisation?

The most memorable experience is being able to look back and realise that so much was achieved, that we help so many people in the past and continue to help so many now.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I would like to emphasize that it is of extreme importance to provide a home to those people with special needs and whose families are unable to help.

Your final thoughts…

I would like to thank you for this opportunity and to invite all your readers to come and visit us and to see the beautiful job we do over here.