Vilamoura International School (Colégio Internacional de Vilamoura) raised €12,050 through its annual Christmas charity campaign, supporting six charitable causes and underprivileged communities.
The funds were raised through charity stalls run by second and third cycle students during the first school term, with support from their families. Additional contributions came from initiatives organised by the Student Representative Council, raffle sales and the CIV Christmas Fair.
As part of the campaign, and in addition, €1,500 was allocated to sponsor five children from vulnerable communities in Mozambique through the project The Big Hand. A further €2,550 was donated to the same organisation to equip classrooms at a pre-school in the village of Matsinho.
David Fernandes, founder and president of the national programmes management of The Big Hand, attended the CIV Christmas Fair and visited several classes to present the work carried out by the organisation and its impact on the communities it supports.
The remaining funds were distributed to local institutions: €5,000 was donated to the Quarteira Social Canteen, which supports families daily by providing meals and clothing; a further €3,000 was given to the Temporary Reception Centre Os Miúdos, in Loulé, which provides care and protection for children at risk.
Alongside the fundraising activities, the school organised three food and Christmas gift collection campaigns. Food donations were delivered to the association Existir, in Loulé, contributing to the distribution of Christmas food hampers to families supported by the institution, and to Algarve Animal Rescue, supporting animal welfare.
The Christmas gift campaign resulted in the collection of 221 shoebox gifts, which were delivered to Cáritas Diocesana do Algarve. Executive Director Olga Matos said: “This is a gesture of tenderness, from children to children, that lights up our Christmas.”
The school leadership thanked students, families and partners involved in the campaign. It highlighted the commitment of the educational community and the importance of solidarity and citizenship as core values of the institution. The support of the municipality, the Quarteira Parish Council and Inframoura was also acknowledged as fundamental to the success of the initiative.
