Fr de Censi used to visit Chimbote frequently because the poverty of children and young people made him suffer. Just at Chimbote, "Operation Mato Grosso" has eight kindergartens, a refectory called "Mamma mia" which is attended by about a thousand people every day, and now the "Total School", a primary school, where students can study, receive teaching material, uniforms and lunch, all for free, but on the one condition: that they live the "spirituality of charity with the poor" and that they are open to the Providence of God.
The "Total School" is the most recent project of "Operation Mato Grosso" to have been started by Fr de Censi. Last Thursday, 11 July, the inauguration of the structure that houses the primary school took place; but the project then plans to accompany the students up to high school.
The last dream of the late Fr de Censi is thus fulfilled, a dream in favor of the poorest children and young people because as a Salesian he was convinced of the importance of educational work and therefore of the kindergartens and of a school that educates for life.
The "Total School" of Nuevo Chimbote will provide not only humanistic and scientific formation, but also moral, spiritual and artistic education, so as to achieve a full development of the person. The school also features spaces for carpentry, masonry, weaving, and, of course, for the famous works in wood and ceramics.
The school was built thanks to young volunteers from the Oratory of the Andes who worked hard to obtain the necessary funds and who raised the structure for free during their school holidays.
"Father Ugo taught us that we must welcome children for free. The most important thing is charity. If someone gives you something, it's because he loves you, and that's what we did with these children," said the Director, Erica Lazzari.
Source: RSD - radiorsd.pe
