Help a school in Pedra Rolada, São Vicente, Cabo Verde

Nederlands/ English/Portugues

Hi iedereen,

Mijn naam is Iria Fernandes. Al van jongs af aan zie ik hoe mijn ouders, grootouders en tante zich inzetten voor Cabo Verde. Die toewijding is mij met de paplepel ingegoten.

De keren dat ik mijn verjaardag in Cabo Verde heb mogen vieren, koos ik ervoor iets terug te doen – het delen van een Blessing.

Afgelopen jaar was dit moment extra bijzonder. Omringd door dierbaren mocht ik een Blessing delen met een school op São Vicente. Het werd een prachtige dag waarop we kennis, materiaal en financiële steun hebben geschonken.

We hebben onder andere:

• Het plafond in de keuken gerepareerd en de ruimte opnieuw laten verven

• De scharnieren van alle ramen vervangen (sommige ramen konden al jaren niet meer dicht of open)

• De dag afgesloten met een lunch voor alle leerlingen en docenten

• Daarnaast hebben we 28.100 escudo (±255 euro) ingezameld om de voedselvoorraad van de school aan te vullen. Voor veel kinderen is de schoolmaaltijd de enige volwaardige maaltijd van de dag, dus dit was van grote waarde.

De verhalen die we die dag hoorden, raakten ons diep. De situatie op deze school is schrijnend. De school vormt dagelijks een gevaar voor de 120 leerlingen.

Het hekwerk rond de school staat op instorten — en is zelfs al eens ingestort. Gelukkig gebeurde dit tijdens de les, waardoor niemand gewond raakte. Ook de toegangsdeur is nauwelijks nog functioneel. Daardoor kunnen onbevoegden het terrein betreden en verdwijnen er regelmatig schoolmaterialen en meubilair.

Toch geven de docenten en de directrice niet op. Zij zetten zich met hart en ziel in voor de kinderen. Waar ze kunnen, organiseren ze acties om geld in te zamelen voor verbetering. Hun dankbaarheid is groot, en zonder hun inzet was onze hulp vorig jaar niet mogelijk geweest.

De directrice is een vrouw met een onuitputtelijke inzet. Wat de overheid nalaat, probeert zij op te vangen met de beperkte middelen die ze heeft.

Ik ben hier niet om kritiek te leveren op de overheid – dat is een ander gesprek – maar om te laten zien: samen kunnen we een krachtig signaal afgeven en het verschil maken voor deze kinderen.

Daarom vraag ik vandaag om jullie hulp.

Een donatie, groot of klein, helpt letterlijk bij het creëren van een veilige plek waar kinderen zich kunnen ontwikkelen.

Hieronder vindt u een overzicht van de benodigde verbeteringen en de bijbehorende kosten:

Omschrijving Kosten in Escudo Omgerekend in Euro*

Stevige toegangsdeur voor de school 105.320,00 ± 957,27

Deur voor de keuken 37.928,00 ± 344,00

Vernieuwing van het hekwerk rondom de school 1.208.480,26 ± 10.960,00

*Wisselkoers gebruikt: 1 EUR = ±110,265 CVE

De proforma facturen zijn bijgesloten bij deze brief.

Wil je bijdragen of heb je vragen? Neem gerust contact met me op. Samen kunnen we een veilige leeromgeving creëren voor deze kinderen.

Elke donatie telt. Samen maken we het verschil.

With Love,

Iria

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English

Hello everyone,

My name is Iria Fernandes. From a young age, I have seen how my parents, grandparents, and aunt dedicated themselves to Cabo Verde. That same commitment was instilled in me from childhood.

Each time I’ve had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday in Cabo Verde, I chose to give something back – to share a Blessing.

This past year, that moment was extra special. Surrounded by loved ones, I shared a Blessing with a school on São Vicente. It became a beautiful day during which we offered knowledge, materials, and financial support.

Among other things, we:

Repaired the ceiling in the kitchen and had the space repainted

Replaced the hinges of all the windows (some windows hadn’t opened or closed in years)

Ended the day with a shared lunch for all students and teachers

Collected 28,100 escudos (approx. €255) to restock the school’s food supplies

For many children, the school meal is the only complete meal of their day, so this contribution was of great value.

The stories we heard that day moved us deeply. The conditions at this school are alarming. It is a daily danger for the 120 students.

The fence surrounding the school is close to collapsing — and has actually fallen once before. Fortunately, this happened during class time, so no one was injured. The main entrance door is also barely functioning, allowing unauthorized people to enter the premises. As a result, school supplies and furniture are often stolen.

And yet, the teachers and the headmistress do not give up. They continue to give their all for these children. Whenever they can, they organize efforts to raise funds for improvements. Their gratitude is immense, and without their involvement, our help last year would not have been possible.

The headmistress is a woman of tireless dedication. What the government fails to provide, she tries to make up for with the limited resources she has.

I'm not here to criticize the government — that's a different conversation — but to show that together, we can send a powerful message and truly make a difference for these children.

That is why I am reaching out today to ask for your help.

A donation, big or small, will quite literally help create a safe place for children to learn and grow.

Below is an overview of the necessary improvements and associated costs:

Description Cost in Escudos Approx. in Euros*

Sturdy entrance door for the school 105,320.00 ± €957.27

Door for the kitchen 37,928.00 ± €344.00

Replacement of the school’s perimeter fence 1,208,480.26 ± €10,960.00

*Exchange rate used: 1 EUR ≈ 110.265 CVE

Proforma invoices are attached to this letter.

If you would like to contribute or have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Together, we can create a safe learning environment for these children.

Every donation counts. Together, we make the difference.

With Love,

Iria

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Portugues

Bom dia,

O meu nome é Iria Fernandes. Desde pequena, vejo os meus pais, avós e tia dedicarem-se com muito amor a Cabo Verde. Esse espírito de entrega foi-me passado desde cedo.

Sempre que tive a oportunidade de celebrar o meu aniversário em Cabo Verde, fiz questão de retribuir – de partilhar uma Bênção.

No ano passado, esse momento foi ainda mais especial. Rodeada de pessoas queridas, tive a honra de partilhar uma Bênção com uma escola em São Vicente. Foi um dia maravilhoso, onde oferecemos conhecimento, materiais e apoio financeiro.

Concretamente, conseguimos:

Reparar o teto da cozinha e pintar novamente o espaço

Substituir as dobradiças de todas as janelas (algumas não abriam nem fechavam há anos)

Terminar o dia com um almoço para todos os alunos e professores

Angariar 28.100 escudos (aprox. 255 euros) para reforçar o stock alimentar da escola

Para muitas crianças, a refeição escolar é a única refeição completa do dia – por isso, esta ajuda teve um enorme valor.

As histórias que ouvimos nesse dia tocaram-nos profundamente. A situação desta escola é grave. A escola representa um risco diário para os 120 alunos.

O gradeamento que rodeia o espaço está em risco de cair — e já caiu uma vez. Felizmente foi durante as aulas, e ninguém ficou ferido. A porta principal quase não funciona, o que permite a entrada de pessoas não autorizadas, e há desaparecimento frequente de materiais escolares e mobília.

Mesmo assim, os professores e a diretora não desistem. Dão tudo pelas crianças e, sempre que possível, organizam ações para angariar fundos. A sua gratidão é enorme e, sem o seu esforço, a nossa ajuda no ano passado não teria sido possível.

A diretora é uma mulher de dedicação incansável. Tudo o que o governo não consegue garantir, ela tenta colmatar com os poucos meios que tem.

Não venho aqui criticar o governo — essa é outra conversa — mas sim mostrar que juntos, podemos dar um sinal forte e fazer realmente a diferença para estas crianças.

É por isso que hoje venho pedir a vossa ajuda.

Uma doação, grande ou pequena, ajuda literalmente a criar um espaço seguro onde as crianças possam crescer e aprender.

Abaixo encontra uma lista com as melhorias necessárias e os respetivos custos:

Descrição Custo em Escudos Aproximadamente em Euros*

Porta principal reforçada para a escola 105.320,00 ± €957,27

Porta para a cozinha 37.928,00 ± €344,00

Substituição do gradeamento em redor da escola 1.208.480,26 ± €10.960,00

*Taxa de câmbio utilizada: 1 EUR ≈ 110,265 CVE

As faturas proforma estão em anexo a esta carta.

Se quiser contribuir ou tiver alguma pregunta, entre em contacto comigo.

Juntos, podemos criar um ambiente escolar seguro para estas crianças.

Cada doação conta. Juntos, fazemos a diferença.

With love,

Iria