This week, The Cape Verde Foundation helped long-term supporters Kevin Thornton, Chanelle Ruddock and Stuart Campbell donate sports equipment to Espargos schools. The team set about collecting the donations back in the UK, with the kits made up of various sweaters, shorts, clothing, training balls and gloves. Kevin and Stuart spent a good deal of time collecting this equipment and were both excited to finally be able to offer them to the Sal Island schools.
Taking time out of their busy day with the children, they were happy to speak about their important work with the Foundation, with Stuart explaining; “We have been coming here on holiday and wanted to give back with something concrete for the community. With the help of our friends and family, as well as the internet and social media, we were able to collect these kits – it was great to see that people from different regions of the UK wanted to help. We managed to collect quite a bit and it’s fantastic to offer it to those who need it.”
Kevin added; “We have always come to Cape Verde so we always wanted to help by bringing something to the community through charity. We got to meet a lot of people because everyone wanted to help and it’s because of all them that we are here today to make this charitable donation.”
Always attentive to the welfare of the local children, The Cape Verde Foundation’s President was pleased to see this project highlight the needs of schoolchildren on the Island. “Kevin Thornton and Stuart Campbell have long been friends of the Foundation. They helped with the collection of these kits and equipment so we were more than happy to help distribute them to these schools.”
The gesture was very much appreciated by the New School (or Escola Nova) and their students, and the team were thanked by the Manager, Sidney Mendes, for their efforts. Mr Mendes commented “Thank you to the Foundation for this help, bearing in mind that the school is now very well equipped because we have several sporting activities in which we can participate with greater identification.”
After the team had equipped Escola Nova, which has approximately 1,200 students, the same gesture was extended to the school of Pretoria where they were just as gratefully received by their 850 students . The event was also covered by the local television channel, who followed the group as they handed out 200 football kits from various international teams to the two schools.
For more information about the Cape Verde Foundation, or to find out how you can donate, get in touch with us today.