During this pandemic it has become difficult for Casa do Povo to support all the local families that are in need. Even though members have not been able to meet they have donated their lunch money and more to a fund which allows us to cover those little emergencies that this pandemic has forced on the local community in Messines. Our help also lead to local butchers and grocers joining in with meat and vegetables. Below is a letter from Casa do Povo expressing their thanks. The pictures show just a few of the things purchased.

Dear Friends,

We haven’t enough words to express our gratitude to you! All your support during the last years had been so important to us!  to be truth, every time that we need help, you come to us to resolve our problem. The last weeks were very hard for everyone and your help was amazing.

Thank you so much for supporting us!

On the 4 February the governor Mara Filipa Ribeiro Duarte visited RC Silves to see some of the work we have done over the past year.  The governor made a visit to Casa do Povo one of our major benefactors this year before joining members for lunch.

She expressed her admiration for the amount of work our club manages to achieve and updated us on the rotary news.  President Isabel Flores and Vice President Alan Winn presented Mara with a cheque for 300€ for the Governors Fund.

Rotary Silves donated about 10,000 euros, which was used to equip the new sensory and therapeutic rooms at Casa do Povo. This unit will serve to support 20 users young people / adults from 18 years old, from various parts of the western Algarve. All referred  by the different health services in the region

In addition to these responses to mental illness, the Casa do Povo of São Bartolomeu de Messines also provides support in the social area, by monitoring vulnerable families and providing food support; sports, social-education for those with physical / intellectual disabilities.

Working together on this project has shown us how much we can achieve. Thank you to all those who have purchased David Trubshaw’s Book and have attended concerts and other fund raising events. As you can see your money has been well spent.

Casa do Povo in São Bartolomeu de Messines, at the invitation of ARS – Regional Health Administration, invested in the creation of a USO – Socio-Occupational Unit, for people with mental illness.  RC Silves members worked hard raising funds so that adults and children with disabilities have access to this well needed training facility.  

RC Silves raised 10,000€ so the new facilities could be adequately furnished to allow this crucial work to take place. At our meeting in January, cheques were handed over to representatives of  Casa do Povo to cover the costs of furniture and other resources. The cheques were presented by Pascal Martin, David Trubshaw, Pam Winn and David and Sue Butler Cole.

Big smiles all round. 

Our Friends from RC Henley Bridge surprise us again with their generosity. Every visit to the Algarve, Nikki and Steve bring lots of goodies for Castelo do Sonhos from their friends and fellow rotarians in the UK. How they fit it all in we will never know. Castelo do Sonhos helps those in need in the Silves Community .  Sue and David Butler Cole accepted the gifts on behalf of Rotary Silves and will see them safely delivered to Castelo do Sonhos.

Shortfalls at the local food back have left some young families desperate for Milk.  From Donations at our weekly meeting RC Silves managed to purchase over 80 litres of milk. We hope this will help fill the gap.