The Amazon is a frequent topic of discussion today because everyone is worried about the deforestation and exploitation of its immense resources by unscrupulous politicians and economists. But very few are aware of the problems of the communities living on the banks of its immense river with the same name, so precious for our sick planet. There are great difficulties in accessing any type of healthcare. For example, in Óbidos (almost 50,000 inhabitants), the only hospital is that run by the Franciscan Third Order, which has only one doctor to tend to the most urgent cases, while for specialized cases the sick have to go to Santarém, a distant six-hour travel by boat. Anxious about the scarce spiritual assistance given to the deeply religious population, the Brasilian Bishops’ Conference (CNBB) called for a concrete response to this issue. This appeal stirred up the interest of hundreds of Focolare members (youths and adults from all over the country and also worldwide) who created the “Amazon Project” in 2005. Each year, during their holidays they set out on a journey to visit the region’s various riverbank communities. Made up of healthcare clinicians, but also of common individuals, they go to lend an ear to the problems of the people, treat the sick, and play with the children in a silent but explicit testimonial of the Gospel in action. In this month of July, there is an ongoing mission of this type in three different districts: Óbidos (Pará), Magnificat (Maranhão) and Barreirinha (Amazonas). Twenty-two volunteers went to Óbidos, among whom were four doctors, a dentist, a physiotherapist and a medical student. With the logistics support of the inhabitants during their untiring seven-day stay in those places, they were able to visit seven communities and treat a total of over a thousand people. They went from house to house, and were put up for the night by the generosity of the people who did not hesitate to stand by the volunteers and give a helping hand, thus creating a warm atmosphere of brotherhood amongst all. When the time came to depart, the scene was always the same: nobody wanted to believe that the “missionaries” would be leaving the next day for another community, and no one could say who experienced more joy in that intense day passed together. If there is truth in the saying, “there is more joy in giving than in receiving,” it is also true that – as the volunteers said – they felt it was they who received more, in the close encounter with such a genuine population, so rich in values, courage, and authentic faith. Every departure was sealed by the promise to return the next year, accompanied by new friends influenced by their enthusiasm. A young volunteer of Benevides gave a touching testimonial, saying that he was grateful he had “grown spiritually and as a person.” A girl from Belém, struck by “these extraordinary people she had met,” declared that once she returned home she would “recommend to all to undertake a similar experience.” Another young man from Belém remarked: “I live in a society that takes interest only in the latest Smartphone model, whereas over here, I saw children who were happy to receive just a simple pencil. I saw people line up, without managing to be visited by the doctors, while over here, people start complaining when they have to wait a bit. And yet, though they are in a disadvantaged situation, these people are always joyful. Upon listening to their stories, I was convinced that some of them would really deserve an honorary degree.” See also: http://projetoamazonia2016.blogspot.com.br/ Tweet: Doctors, nurses and Focolare members have launched the Amazon Project.