Desata-me:
To Untie / Undo / Unbind

A project of love for the marginalized

MISSION

This is my commandment:

love one another as I love you.

John 15:12

DESATA-ME is a Catholic-inspired non-governmental organization serving marginalized populations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - working to "undo the knots" in society that bind them. Rev. Marco Lázaro Dias serves as the chaplain and legal representative of DESATA-ME, incorporating a vast network of collaborators to work toward this mission.

VISION

Welcome. Include. Educate.

-Transform and Be Transformed-

A Call to Transcendence

DESATA-ME seeks to live out the Gospel call of inclusion by extending vision to the peripheries, transcending the limitations of indifference and recognizing the dignity of those socially excluded. Through working for this transformation we ourselves are transformed.

Human Rights
and Care for Our Common Home

DESATA-ME advocates not only in favor of human rights for marginalized populations, but also for care of the earth - our common home - proposing one coherent, complementary ethic of dignity for all creation.

Why "Desata-me"?

The image and devotion of "undoing the knots that bind us" gave inspiration to Padre Lazaro to begin this work, finding deep resonance with the Gospel values of justice, peace and societal transformation - all premised upon the power of redemption in our lives.

Exponential Growth of Vulnerable Populations

DESATA-ME finds great urgency in this mission, as homelessness in Brazil has increased exponentially in the past decade, with the pandemic dramatically accelerating both the related causes and effects - and children being a significant part of these populations.

ACTION

Service in Synergy

In response to the complex interaction of diverse factors at the base of these problems, DESATA-ME adopts a "Service in Synergy" approach that sees a wide array of multi-disciplinary actors collaborate to find creative, holistic solutions.

Governmental

Actors

Academic Engagement

Civil Society

Organizations

Laudato Si The Cry of the Socially Excluded

Music, Media and Film

INTERNATIONAL

In the Heart of Rio,

At the Heart of the Church, With a Global Family

DESATA-ME increasingly engages in advocacy at the international level, having contributed to a collaborative publication of more than 100 International organizations entitled, "Catholic-inspired Organizations: Toward a More Inclusive Society."