“When we started college [João and I] missed doing volunteer work. So, we had the idea to create an entity, something that would last forever and spread the feeling of solidarity”, this is what the student Lígia Melges Ferro, one of the creators of Cásper Solidária, told us. “I felt that I needed to bring some innovation to Cásper Líbero, and I missed volunteer work, said João Pedro de Camargo Moraes, also the creator of the movement.
Cásper Solidária aims helping people in situation of social vulnerability, by supporting and by the engagement of the institution’s students. They want to create a helping environment and create a network, through initiatives and events that may happen every month. Lígia explains that the initiatives can be done in all kinds of ways, such as campaigns in social media and even going somewhere and take action. All of Cásper Líbero students can help, and you don’t have to go to every single event, you can help as long as you want, and when you want.
“We had to think about every single detail and how Cásper Líbero would influence all the students. We had to prove why it was so important to make this entity happen, and mostly, prove it could work out”, said Lígia. For her, the whole process was exhaustive, but paid off. João told us that since the beginning, the duo had academic center’s support, and they were very excited to make the project happen.
“With her ideas and my ideas, we brought this entity, this project to Cásper Líbero, and we wanted to spread empathy all over the students”, completes João. “With this project, we could help not only other people, but ourselves and the institution Cásper Líbero.”
Image Source: Lígia Melges Ferro
On August 24th, Cásper Solidária held its first event, and a lot of engaged students participated. Some of them have already done other volunteer work in their life, but some have never done. The feedback was all positive. Laís Guerreiro, a journalism student, was impressed with the organization of the event. “Thinking that it was our first event, I thought it was really well organized and well structured… I saw everybody gathering together to talk to the elderly and play with the kids”, said Laís. She is one of the students who have already done volunteer work and loves it. “One of the elderly made me promise we will come back to talk to them again.”