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Yearly Archives: 2023
RC Silves Launches its New Environmental Focus
Our first meeting this Rotary year took place at the Convento Bio in Lagoa. A suitable venue for Silves Rotary Club as we add a new project to our agenda this year. Our Speaker Sónia Soares, a biologist, and a nature lover, with a master’s degree in ecology and environmental management is the face of the project “FlorestaNativa” and oversees a small Miyawaki forest in the Algarve. Sonia had a lot to tell us about her project and is interested in working with us to fulfill our goal this year of planting small forests or gardens to protect the environment and provide green spaces for the community.
Members and guests were excited by her ideas and a ready to work with her to make this project a success.
Ringing the bell for first time this year Fátima Guerreiro, Otelo Cabrita, Rainer and Sónia Soares
Friends from IRC Almancil Franco Pasotto Members Alan and Pam with Sian Elton
Maike with Nicole Lanier and Remy and Isabelle Roux Albrecht, Angelika & guest Carla Pita RC Portimao
A New Rotary Year
The last year has been a memorable year for Silves Rotary Club. We worked hard under our President Isabel Flores to help the community and to complete as many fundraising activities as possible. We started our year with the Back to school project closely followed by the completion of our walk to Santiago de Compostela raising 12,000€ for a sensory room and garden in Armaçao de Pêra School. With 10 primary school classes following us we could not fail. So much for them and us to learn.
On the run up to Christmas we worked closely with the Junta de Freguesia de Armação de Pêra and Classic Car Club of Barlavento to raise money to feed families in need over Christmas and the new year with a raffle and a Christmas swim. Not to forget our contribution to the Castelo de Sonhos Christmas Shoe box appeal. In the Spring our concert raised 3000€.
Alan stood in for Isabel Flores and handed over to Rainer Kroth for the year 2023/24.
Rainer is shouldering the president’s job for the first time. Continuing our work in proven activities his vision for 2023-2024 is adding a new focus on Environmental Protection. Our club wants to contribute to the restoration of biodiversity for example by planting trees or even small forests working with experts in the field of ecology and environmental education.
The club will also continue to develop and consolidate our Educational Projects which provide children and young adults with opportunities to expand their horizons. Silves Rotary Club never forgets the less advantaged in our community and will continue to support them through these difficult times. We look forward to promoting fellowship through a wide range of activities and events. We will be producing our concerts again this year as well as our small intimate events whilst working to widen Silves Rotary Club’s network of friends.
Rainer started by pinning a new member Albrecht Marquis and taking part in our flag ceremony with Assistant Governor Fatima Guerreiro and Pascal Martin and exchanging flags with Benedikt Marijnen.
We were joined by many guests from other Rotary Clubs Lagoa, Almancil, Faro, Portimao and Olhao:-
Albrecht, Sofia Fráguas, Rainer, Nicole Lanier, Franco Pasotto, Otelo Cabrita
José Manuel Sosa, District Member Engagement Chair, Rainer and Marion Kitzman RC Silves Secretary
A happy visit to Casa do Povo, Messines
RC Silves President Isabel Flores visited Casa de Povo with club members Sue and David Butler Cole recently to see the resources purchased from money raised by RC Silves. They met with the President who showed them around. RC Silves raises funds through events such as concerts and sponsored walks.
The resources purchased were for the young pupils of Casa de Povo Messines whose play area needed a safe floor as well as toys and games to support their learning. Some of the children have learning difficulties and need extra help.
The centre is planning an area for a little sensory garden and we hope to help with this in the future as one of our foci for next year is on the environment. We hope to provide several small sensory gardens with trees where people of all ages can sit and be calm. Lots more fund raising to do!
Birthday Fun, Food and Fundraising
David T celebrates his birthday each year with fun, food and fundraising. This year was no exception with 20 members gathered for a Portuguese meal. Cooked to perfection by Isabel Flores our President and served in her garden in the evening light. A raffle was held and 205€ was raised for Educational projects in the Silves community.
Welcoming New Members
RC Silves welcomes new members Judy Falçao and Terry Falçao. Newly resident in the Algarve they have found friends and colleagues in the Rotary. We look forward to more fun, fellowship and fundraising with them on the team. Left to Right Pam Winn, Judy Falçao, Alan Winn, Isabel Flores and Terry Falçao.
A Tribute to Wilma Bijhoo
Wilma Bijhoo receives a well-deserved honour of a Paul Harris certificate. Bram her husband was a former member of RC Silves. He gave a lot to the community of Silves and the Algarve. Bram died unexpectedly and Wilma took up his mantle and the community has benefited from her contributions ever since. RC Silves is honoured to have her as a member.
Walking for Fun and Fellowship
The last walk before the autumn took in the sights of Alvor and Penina. Twelve members of the RC Silves rotary club enjoyed the fellowship and the country and seaside views. Walks are at their own risk. The walks were originally to train for walking the pilgrims’ route to raise money for a sensory room and garden for the Armação de Péra school. With 14000€ raised, the walks now are for fun and exercise. Non-members are welcome to join also at their own risk.
An Honour for Hermes Alberto
Hermes’s family, colleagues and friends unveil a street name in his honour.
Hermes was a well known and loved member of the Almancil and Loule communities. He was a valued member of the IRC Almancil and worked closely with ASCA The Community Centre of “The Social & Cultural Association of Almancil.” RC Silves has worked together with IRC Almancil on a number of its projects and members knew and respected Hermes’s commitment to his local community. Unfortunately, Hermes died in 2020 just before the Covid Pandemic but his memory will now last forever as outside ASCA the street has been named after him as a lasting tribute.
Help for Women in Chad
Isabel Flores present Domino and Petra with an RC Silves Flag
RC Silves members gathered in the Chelb Room at the Holiday Inn to listen to Petra and Domino. Petra is a new member of RC Silves and together with her husband Domino, they explained to us the background to their project in Chad. The project was originally funded by Rotary International alongside the Rotary Club of Basal International. The project aims to provide education and training to the women who fought in the war and who are now abandoned. Through the project the women will be able to support themselves and any family through agriculture and the production of garments and materials to sell in local markets. The project was funded in the first year for 35 women and 100 turned up. The project managed to help them all. All members were engaged with the project and had many suggestions a group will look for ways in which we can support Petra and Domino with this project.
Five Stars Gala
On the 29 March, the Rotary Club of Silves was invited to the Five Stars Gala of the Agrupamento Escolas de Silves Sul. A happy night where students were able to celebrate their achievements in education and sport. Members of the local school community were also honoured, for their support, with the presentation of a star. The Rotary Club of Silves were one of five groups presented with a star. Over the last few years, the Silves Rotary club and the schools in the group have worked hand in hand, collaborating with the aim of enhancing education in the municipality of Silves in an inclusive way! A winning partnership that will continue for years to come. Thank you, Agrupamento Escolas de Silves Sul we were honoured to receive our star.
Rotary Clube de Silves 