Body and Soul Care
35 years ago, first steps were given towards what we now call our Wellness and Health Center, which at the time was called “Medical Clinic”. Since then, our make-shift clinic grew so that we could help more and more families within the community.
At first, Dona Yolanda attended to families sitting on mattresses on the floor of our Association, giving advice and psychological orientation, full of loving embraces. Even though it was little, as time went by it was possible to offer far more services such as first aid, hygiene care, home visitation, and helping to diminish tuberculosis cases of the time. In a short time we were attending around 140 adults and children, always with a lot of care, love, and the dedication of all of those who helped us through this rocky start, such as Dr. Adhemar and Teresa Seabra.
With the opening of the Paulo de Tarso Home (“Lar Paulo de Tarso”), in 1985, and the beneficent events that were organized, it was possible for us to purchase a small run down shop, at avenue Pavãozinho 51. Thanks to the help of Dr. Lélio, we were able to complete all the necessary remodeling work that needed to be done at the site, and our assistance services were slowly transferred there.
2 years later, we already had our first Medical Clinic and the Solidary Pharmacy, that would operate during the whole week, and allowed us to attend to 250 children and 80 mothers from the community. As our structure grew, so did the services we were able to offer, as well as the support given, so that in 1999 we received from an ophthalmologist a donation for the house at number 43.
In 2001, we conquered new victories, such as the reduction of families’ malnutrition index, as well as offered support to pregnant women and newborn with a course created by Teresa, and offered alphabetization lessons, sewing, crochet, etc. As our objectives grew, we needed a larger space to dedicate ourselves, and for that we moved once more to attend more families.
In 2002 we were headed to 43 Saint Roman St to inaugurate our Integral Health Center, in partnership with the State Department of Health, which through their donations allowed us to make construction work and buy equipment. At that time, our medical staff was comprised of a team of psychologists, gynecologists, speech therapists, dentists, nurses and many volunteers. We also received the support from Jayme Cohen, owner of a hospital supply factory, through donations and financial support that allowed us to pay wages for 3 staff members (Dra. Juliana, Teresa and Liliane Paulino).
In a moment of need, we had to sell house number 143 to maintain our project, and with that, we had to shut down those activities for a short period. But we weren’t stopped for long, and were able to restart our services when we acquired the house at 149 St. Romain St. But our story doesn’t end here, and we will continue with it at another time…
