A New Family
Homesick is one word very
common between people who are far from their countries during the Holiday
Season. As we have been here for one year only, we could not feel differently,
since it is the time to be with our families. Grandparents, mothers, fathers,
aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, all of them are part
of our roots. Sometimes we don't even get along with them, but we still wish to
be with them.
It is really a controversy:
for believing in peace, freedom, equality and justice, Caio Ferraz, Jose Sotz
and their families have lost one of their most simple rights - to be with their
families.
However, the Amnesty Group
133 of Somerville noticed our situation and organized a surprise party for the
Ferraz-Caldas and Sotz, families. On Sunday, December 22, we received a new
family in our house. Almost the entire group brought us food, gifts, music and
most of all happiness and warmth. Mr. Sotz and his son were present as well. I
am sure they felt happy and thankful for such a wonderful showing of affection
like Caio, Maira and Claudia. Maira Ferraz, the two-year-old group 133 youngest
member had already adopted the whole group like her family. Now she is sure
about the kindness of the group.
This party made us feel less
homesick. The group members brought us, T-shirts, watches, shoes, Brazilian CDs,
warm coats, and decorative things for the Christmas-tree. And those who could
not come sent us their feelings, messages or gifts, by mail.
Thanks Carla Bernardes,
Chris Williams, Carl Williams, Rick Roth, Stephanie Valovic, Hope Roth, Sage
Chandler, Heather Wiley and her daughter Anna (it was a big and important
surprise for us), John Miller, Sastry Penumarthy, Mary Prince, Alison Roth,
Christina Roth, Joanna Vouriotis, Amy Bernardes, Leona Breslow, Dan King, Kim
MacInnes, Richard Kassissieh, Jose Sotz Sr., and Jose Sotz Jr. Also thanks to
Margo Cooper for the gift-certificate and Kate Neave, who gave us a
Christmas-tree and some delicious champagne. Also, thanks to Emmy Park, and
Blakney Bell for their gifts to Maira.
We really had a wonderful
time. Thanks also to Rick Roth whose speech touched our hearts. Rick said, "The
circumstances that brought Caio and his family here were not good, but we are
happy for them being here now."
Thank you so much Group 133
and Have a Very Happy New Human Rights Year!
- by Caio Ferraz, Claudia
Caldas & Maira Ferraz |
