It is our mission to make a positive difference to the people of Cape Verde and that doesn’t stop just because Christmas is around the corner. On the contrary, the Foundation know how important our support is at this time of year, so have been working alongside a number of local charities this month to support their work with those in most need.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network that reaches 150 million people in 190 National Societies through the work of over 17 million volunteers. Running on the support of these volunteers and the kind donations of many, its positive impact within the Cape Verde Community is to be commended and something the Cape Verde Foundation are here to support. Donating much needed clothes, towels and shoes to the Cape Verde Red Cross, The Foundation were pleased to be able to support the ‘Center of the Day’ – a collaboration between the Red Cross and the City Hall of Sal – with snacks and refreshments.
Speaking on behalf of the Red Cross and the event attendees, Red Cross Delegate Ms. Gloria Santos explained “We are so grateful and thankful for these donations. In the name of the “Center of the Day” project, which is a project shared between the Red Cross and the City Hall of Sal, we thank the Cape Verde Foundation for this gesture of kindness and solidarity with our elderly people and we hope to count on your support. We hope you are blessed by God and that you support us whenever you can. And wish you all a Merry Christmas and prosperous and healthy New Year.”
The Support Association for Children of Terra Boa, a charity initiative committed to supporting the local children of Terra Boa, was founded back in 2011 by five women from the community together with a German resident on the Island of Sal who as a tourist guide regularly encountered the poor conditions children were learning in. In 2012 the team built kindergarten space, where they welcome all children from pre-school ages to elementary and middle school ages to come together and learn. Working alongside this the Association built a water fountain to bring fresh water supply to the community, and have continued to develop the prospects available to the children of Terra Boa.
At present, AACTB works with 210 pre-school and elementary and secondary school children, to offer taught lessons, extra-curricular activities, music classes including guitar and flute lessons, as well as recycling classes and exciting school projects. All the students at the centre also benefit from a hot meal, and transport to and from school from the local community and the Alto São João and Alto Santa Cruz areas. The AACTB now has 13 exceptional staff that work across the project including press school teachers, social worker, psychologist, driver, concierge, cook and caretaker. Wanting to support the extraordinary work the Association does, The Cape Verde Foundation donated toys, school supplies, clothes and shoes this December to help keep the committed project going through into the New Year and to continue with its positive impact on the Cape Verde community.
ICCA Delegate, Mrs. Queila Soares visited the Association on behalf of the Cape Verde Foundation to deliver school supplies and toys received from friends and partners of the CVF in the hope that they would bring another moment of joy to the children at this important time. Mrs Soares explained “I take this opportunity to thank the Cape Verde Foundation for their hard work and generosity and to appeal to all who would like to help children and families to run associations that work directly with children.”
Thanking the Foundation also, Coordinator and Social Worker of the Association of support to the children of Terra Boa, Mrs. Landisia Cruz, said “I want to thank the Cape Verde Foundation on behalf of all the children and families for the donations and offered at this time so important to them.”
Ending this year on another positive note and continuing on our mission to transform the lives of the local community, we want to take this opportunity to thank the friends of partners of The Cape Verde Foundation, who without their support and donations, this wouldn’t have been possible.
To read the full article on our work with local charities this December click here.