Interview with Sister Joanne Pundyk : A Legacy of Service in Brazil

Sister Joanne Pundyk, SNJM, has been serving in Brazil since 1987. She is one of five SNJM sisters who founded the Centro Social Madre Maria Rosa. Located in the city of Maceió, the center serves the community by offering educational and recreational programs for children and adolescents (ages 7–14), artisanry classes, and adult literacy initiatives.

The center’s mission is to empower those in vulnerable situations through holistic development, active solidarity, and advocacy aimed at transforming unjust systems to ensure human dignity. This mission also encompasses supporting people affected by human trafficking, a critical issue in the region.

From a Brazilian perspective, how would you describe the current landscape of human trafficking?  

The issue of human trafficking continues to be a massive problem that undermines the human and spiritual values of the Brazilian people. It occurs on local, national, and international levels. It is directly related to impoverishment, a lack of gender equality, and a complete disregard for human dignity. A significant percentage of the persons caught in the web of human trafficking come from the northern and northeastern regions of the country—regions which have the highest number of people living in vulnerable conditions. On the positive side, there is a national plan by the federal government, now in its fourth edition, to address human trafficking and involve the population in reporting violations. Networks, such as Rede Um Grito Pela Vida, are directly involved in the struggle to eliminate this evil.  

Regarding the efforts to address human trafficking, what do you consider to be the primary achievement of Centro Social Madre Maria Rosa?  

The Centro Social Madre Maria Rosa—located in the city of Maceió on the northeastern coast of Brazil, which receives nearly a million tourists per year—is a safe harbor for children, adolescents, and women living on the periphery of the city. In terms of human trafficking, we have been able to raise awareness regarding what it is, how it happens, its consequences, and our responsibility to report suspected cases. Education is a vital element of prevention, and prevention saves lives.  

What has been your greatest source of satisfaction after all these years dedicated to helping young people? What drives you to pursue your mission in Brazil?  

I am happy that, as a team of dedicated people, we have provided a safe place for children, women, and their families to value their human dignity, develop their talents, and assume their roles in their community. People know that we are there for them, and so they become “multipliers” of what they have learned at our center.   I continue to live out my mission in Brazil because I am called to do so; it is a vocation. I experience much happiness and peace in being part of a group of people who are signs of hope among the challenges and adverse situations of our reality. The love and resilience of Mother Marie Rose is a constant inspiration for me.