Raising up for Cape-Verde

The Cape Verde Islands

Cape Verde is located off the west coast of Africa, and is made up of 10 islands floating in the Atlantic Ocean. It takes around six hours to fly here from the UK.

Mission Cape-Verde 2017

With a clear intention to help vulnerable children in Cape-Verde islands (mainly in Fogo and Santiago), I've decided to create a fundraiser event in order to support the beginning of this ongoing project.

Fundraising Event - November 2016

Mica Sinclair - by Wojciech Zielenkiewicz

Beka Reid - by Wojciech Zielenkiewicz

On the 26^th of November, with the help of few friends, musicians gifted with a beautiful heart, I organised a Fundraising Event at the Old Abbey Taphouse in Manchester https://www.facebook.com/abbeyinnmcr/?fref=ts.

Jess Megson - by Wojciech Zielenkiewicz

Caitlin Gilligan - by Wojciech Zielenkiewicz

We raised approximately £200, plus £120 through a just giving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/CapeVerdeIslands.

Luke Slater - By Wojciech Zielenkiewicz

I didn't have any expectations on the outcome, neither I could have imagined the impact and the expansion of it. I was astonished by the social gathering chemistry and the empathy on that night and also by everyone's generosity!

Onashille ArtGallery sharing is talent, during the event.

The donations were done in various different ways. Over 20 t-shirts from Manchester City FC – City in the Community, where also received by the Club.

The t-shirts were donated to kids in Fogo and Santiago

I arrived at Praia, the capital, on the 31^st of December 2016. I've only been there once, back in 1994. I had kept memories that followed me along my journey and had a major contribution to whom I am today... and certainly upon my future.

Mission Cape-Verde 2017

Santiago Island

Santiago - Cape-Verde

Statue in tribute to Amílcar Cabral - Assomada

I realised that I would need some days to share the donations, with different schools. In fact, it only really began, when I saw that creating a Charity would allow me to reach more people. This is a country without natural resources. Agriculture and fishing are the main activities and children amongst the 10 islands, very often have to leave school after 5th grade, in order to help their parents.

Fogo island

Palha Carga do Engenho - Santiago

The aims is to help young people in the island of Fogo and Santiago.

Fogo Island - Volcano

After landed in Fogo on the 4^th of January, I've visited the first Primary School “Escola Fonsaco Silvestre Rodrigues Alves Polo 2 ” in a small village called Mosteiros.
I met Manuel Alves the vice-director and the school director Jaime De Pina Andrade who shared the main difficulties and struggles of the 223 children in this school. With only 12 teachers 2 chefs and 1 cleaner, Jaime told me that although the monthly fee per child is less than £1 per academic year, many parents are not able pay that amount. Some also bring vegetables to schools, as a way of payment.

I decided to help "Escola Fonsaco Silvestre Rodrigues Alves Polo 2" by:

Supporting with 5 050 escudos (more or less £50) in food

5 000 escudos (£50) to support the school and pay for the tuition fees of some students

Donating various items, such as clothes and educational supplies

Escola do Fonsaco

Escola Fonsaco - Mosteiros / Fogo

Jaime Andrade - School Director

Manuel Alves - Vice- director

Jaime Andrade - School Director

Next steps:

This school haven't got a printer neither for the teachers or the students. (Cost: 16 000 escudos / £160)

Escola do Monte Grande

On my way to Fogo, I met teacher Adélcia on the boat. She told me her story: " I am originally from Santiago island, but I have been working in this school for two years." Her husband and children live in Santiago. She only sees them every fortnight (when she can afford it).

Teacher Adélcia

In December 2014/January 2015, the volcano of Fogo island, erupted for the first time since 1995. The natural catastrophe vanished a Primary school, leaving kids to be placed in educational institutions nearby. Escola do Monte Grande was one of those schools that received children for Chã das Caldeiras.

Donated £100 towards – registration fees, food and school supplies

The lovely souls we meet along the way

Pedro Borges (My father)

Picture time...

Some money was used to buy some school supplies

We'll be back..

School of Relva Polo IV

I also met Teacher Selminha, from School of Relva Polo IV. It was part of my plan to visit her school and identify their needs. Two days before, I was in this village visiting some family members and I came across this little girl, on the roof of a house, barefoot and looking pretty much like a female version of Tom Sawyer. She was very shy, but very curious, her energy connected with mine through a light I felt from above! I was so intrigued by the absence of a smile. I have a peculiar way to relate spirituality with people I meet and Daniela didn't have to use words to speak straight into my soul.

Donated £75 (7 500 escudos) to School of Relva

Began que sponsor the studies of 10 year old Marcelina Andrade Gonçalves (Daniela)

I will help Marcelina, to continue her studies until her 12th grade

Escola da Relva

Marcelina Gonçalves

Jeremias is 9 years old and has help growing local vegetables in the school's garden

I intend to reach more children through "Inspiring For Cape-Verde"

Manchester City FC - City in the Community

City in the Community (CITC) has been using football to create opportunities and bright futures. It uses football to work and engage with young people. The Manchester City's Foundation focuses on: Health, Education, and Inclusion. The CITC programmes currently works with more than 40,000 people.

With their help I distributed some t-shirts in Cape- Verde.