Gigliane Ferreira Dourado: 

“Leading by example is the best way of teaching” 

Born into a Spiritist family, our fellow Spiritist from Brazil’s central state of Goias talks about the positive influence she received
from her parents from a very young age

	Gigliane Ferreria Dourado (photo) was born in the town of Rio Verde and lives now in Mineiros, in Goias state, where she works as a volunteer at the Spiritist Community Allan Kardec. Her memories of a childhood in a Spiritist family are remarkable, as they highlight the importance of the education received from the parents from a very young age.
What was the most remarkable experience in your life that can be connected to the fact that you were born into a Spiritist family?

The experience of charity, without a doubt! I was really touched by the fact that I grew up in a home where anyone who knocked on the door was helped, that I went along so may times in charitable journeys, where we gave away food and used clothes. We went often to old people’s homes, to mental institutions, to visit poor houses and to offer assistance to those in need. How many nights I spent Christmas night in orphanages with my father dressed up as Father Christmas. That was really something that stayed with me. 

Were you the victim of prejudice for being a practicing Spiritist as a child and a teenager? How did it happen? 

It was odd to be the only one in school not to go away for Catholic evangelisation, the only one who had not been baptised, the only one who had not had first communion, who did not go to Sunday school. I was seen as different because I could not really join any group and was too young to answer back to comments suchas “Kardec is not Jesus” or “Spiritism goes against God.” And that was in the 1980’s! But I was not really hurt by any of that. 

How has your parents’ perseverance in Spiritism has shaped your personality? 

My father was a hugely idealistic and engaged man. He took part in all developments in the Spiritist Movemente in Rio Verde since moving to the town. His optimism was contagious and endless. I think I have learnt to be courageous with him! I take on any new challenges and I always believe things will be fine in the end. 

Tells us more about your parents and their links with Spiritism. 

My mother was born in Rio Verde’s rural area. Her father ran a mental institution in his farm, which meant she grew up observing people under spirit obsession undergoing treatment. Mediumship was very much part of her childhood. My father was born in Minas Gerais state, in the city of Ouro Fino. He was the youngest of five siblings and lost his father, a military man, aged two. Having become a widow very young, my grandmother was disturbed and was subject to spirit obsession. She was treated by the Spiritist community in the city of Santa Rita do Sapucaí, also in Minas Gerais state. My father tells that in the beginning he used to go to the Spiritist Centre to have soup. The family was very poor and they all starved. He then began to attend evangelisation courses and, as the very bright child he was, eventually became a coordinator, giving lessons of Spiritism to other young people. He always studied and read a lot and has the financial help of fellow Spiritists to go to the state capital, Belo Horizonte, where he found a job at the Rural Bank. He then got a job as a civil servant at Banco do Brasil and was sent to Rio Verde, where he became fully engaged in the Spiritist and met my mother. At work, my father was discriminated against for being a Spiritist. He passed away in 2004, aged 61. My mother is still very active in Spiritism, working as a volunteer every day of the week. 

What is the most lasting memory of your childhood in a Spiritist family? 

I loved to travel to other cities and take part in events, meetings. My father always took me with him. I always attended the lectures and talks by Divaldo Franco and Jeronimo Mendonça and still remember the stories they told. I also enjoyed going to a radio station where my father did a regular Spiritist transmission. In Spiritist Centres, I remember being engaged in charity campaigns to give soup, coats and non-perishable food for people in need. I used to go to every class in my school to ask for donations of winter clothes. 

How was it when you became a teenager, having knowledge of Spiritism? How was it to have friends who were not Spiritists? 

When I was younger, I rebelled and rejected everything. That was a problem. I distanced myself and thought I was too clever to be wasting my time in a Spiritist Centre with young people. I thought I knew it all and wanted to join study groups for adults. 

How do you see the Spiritist Movement these days? 

It has grown a lot and become a lot more popular and widespread. Many of the challenges faced by my parents and grandparents are no longer there. I love the closer links there are now between the Spiritist Movement and the Gospel of Jesus. When I was young, there was an “either or” view. We only discussed mediumship, reincarnation, charity, the law of action and reation… The life of Jesus was a bit neglected in my childhood, almost as though Spiritism was not also about Jesus. I really welcome these changes. 

How is your engagement in the Spiritist Movement now? 

I work in our Fraternal Assistance department, or counselling to the wider public. That came to me as a surprise. I was always more involved in the study groups and teaching. I am very happy with my current work, especially for knowing that I work at the very front door of the Spiritist Centre.  

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

Now, as a mother I tried to educate my daughter with the principles and values I learned in my childhood. But I am absolutely certain that leading by example is the best way of teaching. I try to have the qualities I expect to see in my daughter.