Venezuelan Refugees in Brazil Aided by Adventist-Led Humanitarian Initiative
30 May 2025 |
Adventists in Vitória da Conquista have been leading an ongoing humanitarian effort to support Venezuelan refugees from the Warao ethnic group. Since late 2024, local Adventist churches, Pathfinder and Adventurer clubs, volunteer educators, health professionals, lawyers, businesspeople, and members of civil society have cared for nearly 120 refugees. The initiative was inspired by a poignant message. In a mission meeting, Kleyton Feitosa, the then-leader of Special Projects at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, who was battling late-stage cancer, quoted Leviticus 19:33-34, which calls God’s people to love and welcome foreigners. Reginaldo Pereira, president of the Adventist Church in the Southwest Bahia Conference, was inspired.
“His message challenged me,” Pereira said. “He said that the number of foreigners among us would increase and that we could not ignore their needs—material, emotional, and spiritual. He also said that many invest in going to other countries to evangelize, but God is bringing these people to us. We have the privilege of evangelizing them here, in our reality, with fewer cultural barriers.”
Since then, the church has partnered with local businesses and local government. The local branch of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB) provides legal aid for the refugees. The city’s Department of Social Development also assists.
The foundation of the initiative rests on three pillars of outreach: education, food security, and culturally respectful discipleship. The Warao people are taught Portuguese to increase their employment opportunities. Overseen by local businessman Jhonatan Moraes, the Warao people established a community garden and small chicken farm, providing food security from the garden and income from the sale of surplus produce. Heberson Licar, who oversees the Pathfinders and Adventurers in southwest Bahia, shared the church’s intention of providing a supportive church experience that is respectful of the Warao people’s heritage.
“We want them to continue being Warao, without losing their identity,” he said. “True discipleship teaches people within their history and culture, without disrespecting them.”
According to the article written by the South American Division, the indigenous people have expressed gratitude towards the community support.
Licar continued, “Unlike many specific projects, here there was a very strong response from the indigenous community. They said: ‘Help us live.’ And that moves us. Those who go there come back transformed. Their feedback is what keeps us going.”
The collaboration between the church, local government, local businesses, and civil society is just beginning. With the refugee aid as a model, the community is planning on creating initiatives tailored to the homeless, elderly, orphans, and other overlooked minorities. The purpose of the initiative was not just to provide temporary aid but to create a lasting foundation for long-term success.
