Igreja/Migrantes: Refeitório Rosália Rendu é «ilha de humanidade» que o moldavo Ivan encontra

The Rosália Rendu Refectory in Lisbon provides 45 daily lunches to people in need through the Filhas da Caridade de São Vicente de Paulo. Since opening in 2005, the social space has served as a resource for individuals requiring food and accompaniment.

Ivan, a migrant from Moldova who has lived in Portugal for nearly 30 years, relies on the refectory for food because he lacks electricity to preserve groceries in his home. After working as a plumber in construction and contributing to Segurança Social, Ivan went on medical leave in 2022. He told Agência Ecclesia that he currently receives no support and faces conflicting directions between medical advice to avoid work and the junta médica da Segurança Social requiring him to find employment.

Ivan expressed frustration to Agência Ecclesia regarding the lack of legal protections against hunger, noting that while laws exist to prevent animal cruelty, he has not seen similar protections for humans. He stated that the refectory has helped him regain trust because the people there do not make promises they cannot keep.