“The Children’s Voice”
The story of this social project began in 2009, when an Italian architect with a strong commitment to social causes, who had played a significant role in the development of the tourist infrastructure of Cape Verde, became aware of the dramatic situation facing the disadvantaged children of Santo Antão. Without hesitation, she decided to give the poorest and most vulnerable members of society — many of whom came from broken families affected by drug addiction and alcoholism — a new home and the opportunity to live a life of dignity.
To this end, in the same year, together with friends and colleagues, she founded a non-profit organization called “Associação Voz da Criança do Porto Novo” – The Voice of the Children of Porto Novo, with the aim of raising donations from friends, acquaintances, and companies to finance the construction of a shelter for children.
Unfortunately, securing the necessary financial resources proved extremely difficult at first, and it was not until 2014 that construction of the children’s shelter could finally begin. Ultimately, the project found its principal sponsor in a Swiss family who became aware of the initiative while on holiday in Santo Antão and decided, entirely out of the goodness of their hearts, to provide the funding needed for its construction.
Mission
The project supports the most vulnerable members of our society – children. These are children who, from an early age, have suffered physical and emotional harm due to the absence of a loving and nurturing family environment and who therefore face a bleak future.
With love, warmth, and compassion, the management of the children’s home strives to help heal the wounds they have already suffered. The staff at the children’s shelter are there for the children around the clock. They provide regular meals, a clean bed, proper personal hygiene, and a structured daily routine.
Of particular importance is integrating the children into a community where rules and responsibilities apply and where mutual respect is actively fostered.
Santo Antao
Santo Antão is the island of towering mountains and tranquil valleys. The people who live here face extremely modest, and in some cases even very basic, living conditions.
Many left their homeland due to the precarious economic situation during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
Those who remained behind are the elderly and, in some cases, the children of emigrants, who carry with dignity and extraordinary strength the pain of endless farewells and the longing for a reunion with those who were forced to leave this small country during its most difficult times of hardship.
The Children’s Home
The “Casa da Criança” – the “Children’s House” is located on the northeastern outskirts of Porto Novo, in an idyllic setting overlooking the neighbouring island of São Vicente.
The 2,200-square-metre property was made available free of charge by the municipal authorities of Porto Novo in 2009 for the construction of a children’s refuge.
The “Children’s House” has a built-up area of 800 square metres and is equipped with four large bedrooms, shared bathrooms, common areas and learning rooms, a playroom, kitchen facilities, a dining room, a first-aid station, storage rooms, a laundry room, and a spacious patio.
The adjacent building contains additional storage areas as well as three fully equipped rooms for visitors. The outdoor area includes a children’s playground and additional recreational facilities.
