President Pires launches 25th anniversary celebrations of SOS Children's Villages Cape Verde

President Pires with children from Praia - Photo: SOS Archives

The president was accompanied by Mrs Madalena Neves, minister of social solidarity, and some other members of his office. Together with the chairlady, the director and other representatives of SOS Children's Villages Cape Verde, the whole delegation embarked on an "SOS tour day".

The visit started with a stop at the community centre in Achada Santo Antonio, in Praia, the capital, where SOS Children's Villages Cape Verde initiated, together with the community, a family strengthening programme with the aim of supporting vulnerable children in their biological family and community environment and helping the care-givers properly care for their needs. There, the president met some beneficiary families and questioned them on the impact the programme was having on their lives.

The children also participated and talked to the president about their schools and their hobbies. They were really pleased with the president's visit, who is very admired by the Cape Verdean children in general. "It's not every day you can talk with the president!" explained most of them. Mr Pires encouraged them with sweet words and congratulated the programme for its good results, with a particular attention to one of the beneficiary who is one of the best students of the district. "This is a programme that should be an example for other districts", said Mr. Pires, adding, "It is not only a support to the families but also an initiative that fills many gaps and helps the state to promote the quality of life in the country".

The youths showed their Capoeira skills - Photo: SOS Archives

This was followed by the visit of the SOS Children's Village in São Domingos, where the delegation was welcomed with great enthusiasm and offered a snack prepared by SOS mother Luizete with the help of her children. Mother Luizete had prepared several delicacies famous in her island of origin (Fogo island - which is also the island of origin of Mr Pires) and on the island of Santiago.

Luizete and her children were very pleased with Mr Pires visit! Before the family gave him and the delegation a tour of their house, Luizete had the opportunity to talk with Mr Pires about their island and the activities that she develops as an SOS mother. When leaving, the president praised her for the food, for her sympathy and for the affection with which she cares for her children.

The tour of the President ended in SOS Children's Village Assomada, where some children welcomed Mr Pires with a demonstration of their Capoeira skills. The President was impressed and pleased with the demonstration and asked them to repeat. A request promptly answered!

For the event, the village had also organised a photo exhibition showing the work of SOS mothers. Everyone was involved in making this day a memorable one and all were proud to show the good work of SOS Children's Villages in Cape Verde. Bob, a former SOS youth was more than happy to take care of the music animation on that day and entertained everyone with his songs and guitar playing!

In his speech, President Pires paid a tribute to the founder of SOS Children's Villages, Hermann Gmeiner and the work he has initiated, which now helps so many children in the world. He also expressed his appreciation for bringing this solidarity mission to Cape Verde, and emphasised on "the valuable work that SOS Children's Villages Cape Verde has done during these two and a half decades in the country, by giving through its family care model, a home and care to vulnerable children, and also by educating, training, and transmitting them human values such as sharing, friendship and solidarity". He added that "this availability, the willingness to understand, support and take into account the rights of others, in this case children, are very important values that must be shared". President Pires finally concluded by wishing "the administration, mothers, kindergarten teachers, girls and boys a year of great success that will enrich the SOS Children's Villages human heritage."

An SOS familiy with Cape Verde's President Pires - Photo: SOS Archives