Maria José Bueno: 

“The best aid programme is to invest in human development”

The Spiritist leader in the city of Poços de Caldas, in Minas Gerais state, talks about the Spiritist Movement in the region 

	Maria José Bueno (photo) is president of the Municipal Spiritist Alliance (AME) in the city of Poços de Caldas, where she lives and works as a Spiritist volunteer in two different groups. Maria José, who is a qualified account and earns her living as a farmer, talks about the Spiritist Movement in the area.
Tell us a bit more about Poços de Caldas.

It is the most developed city in the south, southeast of the state of Minas Gerais, with 170,000 inhabitants and the higher human development index in the state. Up to the 1950’s tourism the city’s main economic activity. But since then mining, industry and farming have grown and play an important role in the local economy.

How did you feel when you took over AME? What are your main challenges?

It has been a very gratifying opportunity to get closer to all Spiritist groups in the region. My main challenge is to give attention to all of them.

What are the main events coordinated by AME in Poços de Caldas?

We have two main events: the Spiritist Week, in mid-March, and the Spiritist Book Fair, which takes place every year in October or November.

How many Spiritist Groups are there in the city?

There are nine Groups affiliated to the regional body, AME. There are another four or five we unfortunately keep no contact with, as they are not members of AME. The oldest Spiritist Centre in the city is the Vinha do Senhor, followed by Deus e Caridade.

What are the main means of disseminating Spiritism in the city?

We have a web radio, www.amepocos.com.br, a Spiritist Bookshop and we also use the two local papers (Jornal da Cidade e Mantiqueira) to help promote our events and disseminate our message.

Is the local Spiritist Movement influenced in any way by the fact that Poços de Caldas is such a well-known tourist destination in Brazil?

Not really. Very few tourists who come to Poços de Caldas attend our meetings or visit our Spiritist Centres.

What is the main focus of the aid programmes carried out by the Spiritist Groups in Poços de Caldas?

The various Spiritist Groups have a number of activities to assist those in need. Some help the elderly, others focus on children, others provide basic healthcare and there is a Group that has a hostel. But I believe that the best aid programme is to invest in human development. Most of our Groups focus on providing aid rather than helping to foster the development of the people. But we cannot criticise them, as they are all helping the cause of Spiritistm by doing charity.