(ANS – Tsorépré) – Thanks to funding from donors to Salesian Missions, the Salesian Mission Office in New Rochelle, it has been possible to build a new chapel in Tsorépré, an indigenous Xavante village located in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The community has 120 residents, most of whom are young people, living in homes made of tarpaulins and tents. The village is simple, relying on agriculture, and many people are heavily dependent on government assistance. The community used to gather under the trees to pray and had long cherished the dream of having a small chapel for prayer. Thanks to the funds raised by donors, the community quickly mobilised to help build the chapel. They washed the sand and laid the foundations alongside the builders. The walls were then erected. During the construction work, other materials were also purchased, such as roof tiles, a statue, chairs, a cross and floodlights. Once the interior work was complete, the community helped to lay a pavement, paint the building and tidy up the surrounding area. As explained by a Salesian present in Tsorépré, everyone was delighted with this chapel, which is now used mainly for the Rosary and Sunday Mass. “We are incredibly grateful for this new chapel,” commented an elderly villager. “It has brought the whole community together, even those who had once stopped praying with us!”
