Mariana Freire | Brasil and Dovida Limerick

Raised in Brazil and now working as a Dovida caregiver in Limerick, Mariana Freire credits the warm and social environment of her childhood, where ‘people are naturally talkative, kind, and optimistic’, with giving her the communication skills she feels are vital to creating connections with her clients. We caught up with Marina to find out more.

“In my culture, we have a saying: “Acolher é amar” – to care is to love – and I try to carry that into every interaction.”

How is care valued in your culture?

In Brazil, care is something we learn from a very young age. Many families, including mine, live in multigenerational homes, parents, grandparents, siblings, sometimes cousins all together. Because of that, you naturally grow up helping to look after others. Caring isn’t seen as a task, but as a way of showing love and respect. It’s part of who we are.

What aspects of your culture do you bring to your role?

I bring empathy, patience and warmth. I always try to treat others as I would treat a family member, and I believe that kindness is just as important as technical skills. In my culture, we have a saying: “Acolher é amar” – to care is to love – and I try to carry that into every interaction.

Can you share a story or memory from an important event in your culture?

One of the most meaningful cultural traditions in Brazil is Festa Junina, a celebration that takes place in June. It’s a big community event where everyone from children to grandparents comes together to share food, dance, and play traditional games.

When I was young, I remember my grandmother cooking large pots of canjica and pamonha. She would always set aside a portion for friends or family members who couldn’t be there, just to make sure no one was left out. That simple gesture taught me the true meaning of care — making people feel included and valued.