Maru Marrero became a volunteer in 2023 after learning the story of the Bahian saint

The first time she visited Brazil, in 2021, Belgian flight attendant Maru Marrero came willing to learn the language. She heard about the first Brazilian saint, but didn’t have time to learn the story. A year later, during a trip to Salvador with her husband, the resident of La Hulpe – a municipality in Belgium close to the capital Brussels – tried to make amends for the past and delved into the history of Santa Dulce dos Pobres. He was so enchanted that, since then, he has visited the capital of Bahia every year to help with the Sister Dulce Social Works (Osid).

“I visited the old Memorial and was impressed by this person who was so charismatic, a precursor and inspiring of values. I couldn’t believe that people, generations later, were still doing everything they could to help continue the works she did. It was then that I asked if I could volunteer to help and it worked out. Last year was the first time I was here volunteering and it was one of those things that changes our lives”, he says.

In 2023, Maru was responsible for serving visitors to the temporary Memorial. She helped those who spoke English, Spanish, French and German. This year, he was part of the Abraço Acolhedor team, an Osid project that welcomes patients and companions who arrive in Salvador from the interior of the state or from more distant regions, helping the Bazaar and other social actions, such as the distribution of toys for children needy people on the last Children’s Day and the distribution of coffee for alcoholics.

The desire to help, according to her, came from the lessons learned from the journey of Anjo Bom da Bahia. “She is an inspiration to me. She is a woman who was determined and showed us that everything is possible with love, affection, attention and dedication. This is her main message”, he emphasizes.

The end of this year’s volunteering season coincided with the pre-launch event for the reopening of the Memorial Santa Dulce dos Pobres, which underwent renovation, modernization and expansion of the exhibition. For Maru, the date was symbolic, as it was at the Memorial where his devotion began.

“I couldn’t leave without visiting this important place. I think the event at the Memorial is a message for me to come back next year, resume this work and tell the life of Santa Dulce to people who haven’t yet been lucky enough to know that she can change everyone’s lives”, he states.

With her return to Belgium scheduled for this Friday (25), she guarantees that she will spread the legacy of the Bahian saint across Europe. “I’m sad to leave. A piece of me stays here, but I also take home a piece of Salvador, of us and of Sister Dulce. I’m going to talk about her work, which is the greatest legacy she left us, inspiring hope and faith for all people who don’t have much to live for, but who still believe they can make a difference with love”, he concluded.