19-DECEMBER-2012
A JOYFULL MORNING
IN PORTO’S HEART
 

The morning is chill but the enthusiasm and the warm welcome from the kids at the Parish Social Center of Our Lady of Vitória (CSPNSV) located in the heart of the city of Porto, to the Portuguese Volleyball Federation delegation, quickly heat the environment.

Between smiles and curious looks, the kids at the After-School Activity Center greet the newcomers, led by Raquel Mendes, Center Social Educator and host of our visit to the social solidarity institution.

In this early ages, the gifts arouse greater curiosity, but the words of the volleyball player Miguel Maia, summarising his career, from when he was 6 years old at Académica and Sporting de Espinho, to his international projection and the participation with his childhood friend, João Brenha, in 3 Olympic Games editions, are followed with attention by the amazed kids, who after his speech, posted some questions to the most famous Portuguese volleyball player of all time.

The contagious joy along with a Christmas Carol chants reception at the Kindergarten of CSPNSV is the best Christmas present that FPV can ever receive as a result of its social work, possibly with few media success than in the sport itself, but equally or even more rewarding…
Irene Moreira, CSPNSV Executive Council, highlights:
“The FPV visit is very important for us. Why? Because the children here today who had this opportunity come from families with very low economic power, which is one of their characteristics, but maybe not the most important one, because their families also have very low social and academic skills, who don’t have many opportunities to experience other activities beside those provided here.
One of our objectives is to provide different experiences which will grant them a full development in all areas, and sports also take part in that development. In our institution, besides the children, we have elderly and homeless people, in a total of 250 souls which are the target-audience of our actions. It’s important the presence of the Federation here today, because you are willing to share, and in this crisis moment that we have to face, even in the Christmas time, the joy is absent, and we only share if you have someone to share with. Nobody is happy alone. So, the message that I would like to leave to all is Merry Christmas, with the joy shared with others”.

About the enthusiastic way that the children welcomed FPV members and Miguel Maia, the CSPNSV director explained:
“They are truly amazed. Like Miguel said, is not usual to emphasize volleyball in our country, mainly because football gets all the sporting pages. When we talk about sports, usually we think of Cristiano Ronaldo and not Miguel and others who fought and took our country’s name so far. Another curious fact is that Miguel’s career having begun so soon (six years old). The parents think that their kids have small hands and will not be able to play, but for the children the question is viewed otherwise: If Miguel could do it so can we. With effort and perseverance like Miguel indicated to the path to success. This message is going to echo in their little heads and will be a clear statement to their development.
But also, there is enthusiasm. If you look in Greek “en + theos”, literally it means having God within ourselves, having joy within ourselves, and I believe that it landed today here in our house with your visit”.

On his turn, Miguel Maia stated:
“We feel very honoured to be here today in another social initiative from the FPV, and to be able to bring some joy to these kids, giving them a moment of happiness and teach them a little about volleyball. Who knows if in the future we will not see some of these kids playing sports, which for us, is the most important thing. If they prefer volleyball, even better.
We wish all a Merry Christmas, such a valued time for the children for several reasons. And we feel very honoured to somehow be contributing to their happiness.
I believe the Portuguese Volleyball Federation is having an enormous success with the social causes, bringing joy to children in need of solidarity institutions, which need our support even more”.

The Olympic athlete, who distributed autographs, both to the children and social workers, was also given a “sweet” gift from the children…
“It was a gift for me and for all the FPV elements here today, as I noticed that they were all wiling to taste the candy present from them, and that was the way that the children managed to put a smile on our faces, something that is very important in anybody’s life, especially to them”.

As Goethe once said: “It’s only possible to teach a child to love by loving her”, that is what the the Parish Social Center of Our Lady of Vitória, a Private Social Solidarity Institution – founded in 1986, as a result of Padre Jardim’s determination, who arrived at the Vitória Parish in 1977.
CSPNSV began its social work helping the elderly with a day center. This was the first of 9 actual social responses from the center:
. Day-care center for 15 children;
. Kindergarten for 44 children;
. After-School Activity Center to schedule extension and school interruptions for a total of 30 children, “to which the institution receives a little financial support, which cannot cover our expenses, and to which we need help from the society”.
. Classic After-School Activity Center for 40 children who attend elementary school;
. Social Insertion – House of friendship for 40 homeless people;
. Conviviality Center for 35 long time youngs;
. Day Center for 25 even more long time youngs;
. Retirement Home for ten dolls with na age average of 85!;
. Service of Home Support: Meals, Personnel Hygiene, Cloth Hygiene and House Hygiene for 15 families.

More info: http://cspnsv.com.sapo.pt / http://www.youtube.com/user/forcavolei?feature=mhee