The second session of the Synod on Synodality, begins on 2 October 2024. As at the previous assembly, the work will be preceded by two days of spiritual retreat. And it is precisely on this occasion that all participants will receive a gift from the Synod Secretariat.
The gift consists of a box of chocolates contained in a hand- sewn bag, and is a sign of solidarity and cooperation within the Church in the promotion of integral human development. Both gifts come, in fact, from projects initiated by Catholic communities of Venezuela, which aim to promote the local economy by training people who have difficulties in accessing the labor market.
The chocolates are made by the Kharis Cocoa Workshop School, an initiative of the Venezuelan diocese of Carúpano that teaches young adults a trade to become entrepreneurs in chocolate production.
The bags were handmade by women of the Costruyendo Futuro (bulding the future) community centre in Chuparipal Abajo. Here the association Trazando Espacios (designing spaces) creates community common spaces where to promote the sustainable development of the local community. In this context, the project Trazando Redes a Mano (developing hand networks) was born, which promotes access of women from rural communities to the world of work and craft.