Alessandra
Cintra:
“We learn so
much with
children and
young people”
The Coordinator
of Spiritism
courses for
children and
young people in
the Brazilian
city of Matão,
in São Paulo
state, talks
about the
importance of
learning about
the Gospel at a
young age
 |
Alessandra
Cintra (photo)
was born in a
Spiritist family
in the Brazilian
city of Uberaba
(Minas Gerais).
She has a degree
in Law and works
at the local
courts of law.
She also works
as a volunteer
at the Spiritist
Centre Cairbar
Schutel, in
Matão, where she
has lived for
many years. She
is the
Coordinator of
Spiritism
courses for
children and
|
|
young people
there and talks
to us about her
work in that
field. |
What do you
think must be
conveyed in
evangelisation
courses for
children and
young people?
It is very
important that
children and
young people in
general feel
Jesus, that they
live his
Teachings and
come to the
conclusion that
we will only
achieve
happiness
through him. It
is not enough to
get to know his
Teachings from a
theoretical
perspective.
Spiritism
enables that to
happen, as it
explains the
message of
Christ in a
logical and
rational
manner.
Why is it
important that
parents go with
their children
to the Spiritist
Centre, rather
than just
dropping them
for lessons?
The
family must be
at the centre of
everything.
Parents and
children
reincarnate
together so they
can grow up
together. When
they are work
together towards
the same goal,
the results are
naturally much
better. When
they go together
to the Spiritist
Centre, they
encourage each
other. That also
contributes to
reaching harmony
in the family
finding the
strength to face
the challenges
of life.
How important
are regularity
and punctuality
in attending the
lessons?
Educating
children and
young people
should be one of
the priorities
of Spiritist
Centres, with an
organised,
structured
programme to be
followed in a
logical
sequence. That
is the best way
to help children
and young people
in general
develop. Good
will is not
enough. Those
teaching young
people must
evolve with the
children’s world
and look
constantly for
tools that will
attract children
and motivate
them, including
videos, the
Internet etc. As
for punctuality,
that is
something we
must learn and
put into
practice
throughout our
life. As Chico
Xavier’s mentor,
Emmanuel, told
him, the key to
success is:
“Discipline,
discipline and
discipline”.
What is the main
challenge for
those running
evangelisation
courses for
children and
young people at
Spiritist
Centres?
I think the main
obstacle is
probably the
lack of clarity
about what such
courses should
consist of. Many
people see it as
fun time to keep
the children
busy while the
parents attend
the main talk at
the Spiritist
Centre. But it
is not about
that at all!
That is why it
is important
that those
working in
Spiritist
Centres remind
everyone, in
talks and
lectures, about
the importance
of educating the
children in
Spiritism.
Is there
anything else
you would like
to share with
us, based on
your experience
as an educator?
As I have been
blessed with
working with
children and
young people for
so long, I have
been through so
many wonderful
experiences. I
have also been
through
difficult times
and I have
learned a great
deal, but I am
sure of one
thing: I have
received much
more than I have
given. After
all, we learn so
much with
children and
young people!
Is there
anything else
you would like
to add?
I would like to
express my
gratitude to all
of those who
have read this
interview and to
say that once
you begin
working in the
evangelisation
of children and
young people you
cannot stop. If
we allow young
people to
express
themselves, if
we give the best
of ourselves in
each lesson,
they will be
great teachers
to us in our
live. And they
will help us in
our Spiritual
development. Do
embrace this
blessed task, do
it with
enthusiasm,
believe that
teaching the
Gospel according
to Spiritism to
children and
young people
will play a key
role in the
moral
transformation
of humankind and
you will see how
gratifying it is
to be able to
take part in
this beautiful
task.
