Father Chema Visits South Florida during the month of February
March 2004.
Father Chema, the right-hand person of ADS’ founder Father Miguel Gonzalez, and member of the international board (IB), visited us during the month of February. Father Chema attended our February board meeting held at Isabelita Espinosa’s’ house. He also held several workshops with members of the Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Boards. We estimate a total of 60 women volunteers attended.
He gave an interesting recount of some of his experiences while working with women in ADS’s Spain trying to recover adolescences addicted to the game. He also discussed the interesting eight principles that characterize a “Dama Salesiana”. These include Compromise, Pertinence, Vocation, Management, Identity, Education, Counseling, and Spirituality. We see our daily work and actions reflected in these principles.
The workshops and reflections reinforced our joy of voluntarism with America Developing Smiles. His visit was a true inspiring experience. We thank Father Chema and all of our volunteers and members of the board that helped in making it possible.