State of PB carries out food security actions in another 16 quilombola communities

Another 16 quilombola communities in the Cariri and Sertão regions were served with food and nutritional security actions carried out by the Government of Paraíba, through the State Secretariats for Human Development and Women and Human Diversity, in partnership with the Public Ministry. On the occasion, around a thousand basic food baskets were delivered to families of traditional peoples and communities in the municipalities of Livramento, Cacimbas, Tavares, Diamante, Ingá, Riachão do Bacamarte, Boa Vista, Serra Branca, São João do Tigre and Camalaú.

The psychologist and vice-president of the State Coordination of Black and Quilombola Communities of Paraíba (Cecneq), Raisa Rodrigues, commented that she abandoned the clinic system to make a living from social psychology, becoming directly linked to quilombola communities, and finds this important in terms of identity . “It’s the feeling of satisfaction, of joy, of seeing the work being returned to the community. We always look for these partners to help us with this very difficult task, which is to bring dignity to the quilombola people, and that for me, bringing food, this issue of food to the quilombola communities, was giving dignity to these people who believed in us as coordination. So, it’s a feeling of satisfaction, of joy, it’s a unique moment that I’m experiencing,” she said emotionally.

The artisan and member of the Rural Producers Association of Quilombo Pedra d’Água, in the municipality of Ingá, Marta Ferreira da Silva, said that this action is very important for the development, growth and nutrition of the people. “This is a needy community and receiving these baskets makes us feel much better and very grateful. A benefit for everyone. We are very happy to receive this contribution from the State Government”.

For the Secretary of State for Human Development, Pollyanna Dutra, it is essential to get close to this population and feel their real needs. “The State Government arrives to make this reparation, this social justice, bringing food, which at this moment is what they need most, and from there, creating links, creating respect, dignity and restoring the rights of this population, which arrived first than us, but he managed to build our Paraíba, strong and resilient”.

The quilombola and farmer from the Pedra d’Água community, Luzinete Firmino da Silva, known as Maria de Moça Maria, mother of three children and nine grandchildren, said she is retired, but has grandchildren who need them. “My salary isn’t much and these baskets help a lot. I’m very happy to receive it, not just for myself, there are a lot of people here who need it, I just have to thank God and the government. I am really happy”.

The farmer and president of the Associação Comunidade Quilombola do Grilo, in Riachão do Bacamarte, Elias Tenório, highlighted the importance and satisfaction of receiving this benefit. “As a member of a community, I felt the difficulty, we know the needs of each one, there are 104 families, and these basic food baskets are a huge benefit. We are very grateful to the State Government for this achievement for the community.”

The president of the Quilombo de Santa Rosa community in Boa Vista, Edilene Monteiro Fernandes, emphasized the importance of a public policy reaching the community. “This action guarantees us food security, it is essential, decent, quality food, arrived at the right time at the right time, it is essential, it is the issue of dignity, strengthening, the bond of the community itself. I would first like to thank God, the word is gratitude”, she stated.

In turn, Maria de Fátima Silva, 75 years old, from the Cantinho community in Serra Branca, commented: “I’m happy to receive it because things are very expensive, we have our money, but it’s not enough. I thank God, according to the government, I feel very happy.”

Valdinete dos Santos, 34 years old, mother of three children, from the Quilombo do Domingos Ferreira community, in the municipality of Tavares, in Sertão da Paraíba, spoke of her joy in being benefited. “I have been a quilombola since my ancestors, I come from my first generation of grandparents, great-grandparents. We are happy for these baskets. We have been fighting, and now we are reaping the rewards.”

Food and nutritional security actions should also benefit more quilombola communities located in all geo-administrative regions. In Paraíba, there are more than 50 recognized quilombola communities.

Source: PB Reporter