Volunteers build houses for vulnerable families in Itapetininga Douglas Francisco's feeling today is one of gratitude. In 2020, he arrived in Itapetininga (SP) with his wife and two children in search of a job and new opportunities. However, adaptation was not easy. Even though he was willing to work, the painter was unable to find work and the family ended up living on the streets. Reality began to change when they discovered the “Mãos à Obra” project. Created in 2013 by the Catholic Church of the Diocese of Itapetininga, the initiative helps families in situations of social vulnerability, many of them unable to maintain decent housing. 📲 Join the g1 Itapetininga e Região channel on WhatsApp "I slept in the square for two weeks. Then they told me about the project and I went after it to see if I could find anything. I was on the street. When I got there, I talked to him, they found me a job, they found me a house so I could live with my family. They got me some furniture and food. I'm very grateful", says Douglas. Currently, the family lives in a house temporarily provided by the project. Furthermore, he has already acquired land where he intends to build his own house in the future. The achievement moves Michele Cristina da Silva Francisco, Douglas' wife, who says that the help arrived at a decisive moment for the family. "I get emotional because I arrived here and didn't even have clothes to wear, I didn't have anything. Then my husband went to work there, they fixed up the house for us, the furniture. I'm very grateful for them. I also want to make other people's dreams come true, who are today in the place I once was", points out the woman. Family who had to sleep on the street for two weeks got help from the 'Hands on' project and were able to find a job and housing Paulo Oliveira/TV TEM Volunteers organize joint efforts to renovate and even build houses for families who need help. Since the beginning of activities, around 100 families have benefited. Solange Manuel Souto Vieira, president of the project, highlights that for some families, a simple renovation in one of the rooms already guarantees improvements and well-being. "Thus reaching around 900 people, more or less, around the age of 12. We feel great joy in seeing the change in families. Joy. A child who didn't have a decent bathroom in the house, she looks at the bathroom. The whole family. These days we saw a child being touched because the bathroom was transformed into her house." Currently, the group responsible for the project coordinates three works in Itapetininga, including renovations and construction. One of them takes place in the Vila Mazzei neighborhood. At the beginning of this year, the resident family approached the project with the intention of changing only the roof of the house. After evaluating the condition of the property, the volunteers decided to expand their help. Volunteers organize joint efforts to renovate and even build houses for families in need of help Paulo Oliveira/TV TEM In addition to replacing the roof, the team built a bathroom and plastered the walls. The work is expected to be completed in the coming weeks. All material used in construction and renovations is obtained through donations. The labor of the bricklayers and servants is paid for by the project, which also receives financial contributions from the community. READ ALSO: Indigenous boy who travels around 16 km to train wins 3rd place in regional judo tournament: 'I feel proud' Woman who juggles at traffic lights wins 'beauty day' from hairdresser in Itapetininga: 'Feeling seen' Clothes, footwear and blankets: Itapetininga region begins Clothing Campaign; see how to donate According to Father Leonardo Mendes, spiritual director of “Mãos à Obra” and parish priest of Paróquia Santa Cruz, in Cesário Lange (SP), the project also works on other fronts to encourage the autonomy of the families served, preventing them from depending exclusively on help. "They are supported. They receive from the church the assistance they need to get out of that vulnerable situation and thus be able to continue their lives with dignity", explains the priest. The story of Cindicleia de Medeiros Machado is an example of this transformation. In 2014, after leaving prison, she received help from the project to renovate her mother's house. Years later, he got a job and started selling homemade snacks. At the end of last year, Cindicleia realized her dream of owning her own home. "Wonderful. It's believing in human beings. There are human beings who need help, that's all. Give a 'push' to resume and change history. As mine was changed, I believe that many more lives will be changed", celebrates the woman. Cindicleia de Medeiros Machado received assistance from the project after leaving prison in 2014. She currently works and has built her own home Paulo Oliveira/TV TEM Initial plugin text See more news on g1 Itapetininga and Region VIDEOS: watch TV TEM reports