"Everybody can be great ... because anybody can serve. ...You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love." Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“How can you show love to others, even when we have to social distance?” One Sunday, Beatriz asked her children when studying about love in church. Beatriz Munhoz, GPW project leader in Brazil, is a mother of five.
Her children expressed that they wanted to help struggling families in their community. So the entire family launched a Family Volunteers for Peace virtual fundraiser to collect funds to support families struggling during COVID19.
They engaged other families in their Family Volunteers for Peace project. The children shared the link and contacted nearby friends to be involved with their FVP Project. Beatriz’s 8-years-old daughter, Jasmine, even made a short video inviting people to participate and cooperate towards the project. Eight families, totaling 12 children from various states around Brazil, joined the fundraising efforts. They divided the total funds to reach families in participating states.
In Goias, where Beatriz’s family lives, they delivered food baskets to 7 families.
Jasmine reflected, “I thought it was really cool! I felt happy to be able to help people in need. I felt proud and moved because I could see the joy in people's eyes when they received the food. It wasn't difficult to help others and I would like and want to do it again... It was great!!!” Gustavo, who is twelve, said, "It was great to be able to help those in need. I realized that there are many people going through difficulties and you can't go without food"
Beatriz said, “It was a great opportunity to initiate a culture of service in my home. It was touching to see the children understand that there are people going through difficulties and that we must take our love and help beyond our families. Children have a great sincere desire to help. This is beautiful!"
The Family Volunteers for Peace experience stirred something in the hearts of the Munhoz family who are thinking of how to involve more families in their next adventure. Little 8-year-old Jasmine shows us, that everyone can serve. All we need is a "heart full of grace" and a "soul generated by love."
Family Volunteers for Peace (FVP) is an initiative of Global Peace Women to build a culture of service around the world. We invite your family to volunteer together and share your story.
For question and to submit your stories email us: Global Peace Women-Family Volunteers for Peace Team (Younshim Park) family.volunteers@globapeacewomen.org
To read other stories, and find out more about Family Volunteers for Peace and its lead organization Global Peace Women visit the Family Volunteers for Peace page.