Escola EB 2,3 Santo António and UAlg harvest vegetables for people in need

«Being able to do something that helps those in need contributes a lot not only to my happiness, but also to those who will have this support». Afonso Ferreira is a student in the 1st year of the Social Education course at the University of Algarve (UAlg) and was one of the volunteers who, this Monday, 11th of May, helped to catch up. vegetables from the educational garden of Escola EB 2,3 Santo António, in Faro. When the work was finished, the lettuces, broccoli and cabbage were donated to the Support Center for the Homeless (CASA).

The morning, with cloudy skies and even some rain, did not invite much to leave the house, but one value was stronger: solidarity.

Two teachers and two students from UAlg joined two other teachers and two employees from Escola EB 2,3 Santo António, early in the morning, to literally get your hands on the ground.

This teaching establishment in Faro, now closed due to Covid-19, has a Pedagogical Garden, a project that is led by Professor Luís Miguel Gomes.

«The idea was born because we had to give the subject of pedagogical vegetable garden to Special Education students and so we built this small vegetable garden with wooden pallets. The students joined another class from the 5th E and, among all of them, they planted and took care of the vegetable garden», he explains.

Everything went smoothly, until the pandemic arrived and the vegetable garden was no longer taken care of by the young students. “At a time like this, when there is so much need, we remember to give the vegetables to those who need it most,” he says.

CASA, an institution that helps both homeless and needy families, was the chosen entity. And from there came the connection to the University of Algarve.

Professor Cláudia Luísa, director of the Social Education course, explains that «some of us have been CASA volunteers for some time and that's how this synergy was born».

The contact came from the coordinator of CASA, but there was an initial obstacle: the lack of volunteers.

“I said right away: no problem! We go there because, in reality, this type of food (fresh or vegetable) is rarely allocated by supermarkets and there is a shortage. It was unthinkable to leave this here, with people in need», says Cláudia Luísa.

That was also how two young students thought, who saw the imperative of helping. Daniel Chora and Afonso Ferreira are freshmen in the Social Education course and decided to embrace this cause.

«I came both to learn more and to help. It's something I like and it clears my conscience,” says Daniel Chora.

In times of confinement – and distance classes – this was also a way of “going out for a while and unwinding”, he adds.

Our colleague Afonso also wanted to know more about the world of agriculture. “I'm helping and learning more. As I am on this course, I must always have this concern for the other», he considers.

In addition to vegetables, Professor Luís Miguel Gomes also took the opportunity to raise food, together with six other Special Education teachers. “Yesterday, I was collecting food, such as milk, pasta, rice and pulses from everyone's house, something that CASA lacks,” he explains.

The distribution, by CASA, took place yesterday and continues today.

«This was a work that we gladly did and that will make a difference in people's lives», concludes Cláudia Luísa.

Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação