a question of charity ...making a real difference

WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED BY ALGARVEPLUS READERS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO MAKE THE ALGARVE THEIR HOME, HOW THEY CAN HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE HERE. WE TALKED TO ONE PARTICULAR CHARITY BASED IN OLH Ã O ABOUT ITS WORK AND ITS NEEDS AND HOW OTHERS CAN GET INVOLVED

Let’s start with the name, Somos Esperança. What does it mean?

Somos Esperança means We Are Hope because when times are tough, usually it’s hope that dissolves away first: without it, life is (literally) hopeless. Mind you, we’re also known by our Instagram name – Love For All. Both names mean everything to us and, hopefully, to our clients, too.

When did you start your programme?

The Charity was born at the very beginning of the Covid pandemic.

And who and what was involved when you launched?

For some years previously, Patricia (the charity’s President) had been heroically running an amazing private support network for needy local people and families out of the front room of her family home. Kevin runs a small tasca in Olhão called Chá Chá Chá; when the Pandemic hit, many local casually employed fishermen could no longer afford to feed their families, so Chá Chá Chá started offering around 35 free lunches a day for those in need.

Patricia and Kevin joined forces, initially using Kevin’s small lock-up from where they started a food box scheme that provided for all a family’s food needs for the week. They took in donations of food, clothes and furniture from kind members of the local community and from Chá Chá Chá’s suppliers. Any shortfall was made up by Chá Chá Chá .

What sets Love for All apart from other local charities?

Patricia was (and remains!) insistent that the

Charity’s clients be treated first and foremost with dignity; many clients are working people fallen on hard times, often through no fault of their own, whilst the mental or physical health of other clients renders them unfit for work or unsuited to social society.

Are you still operating informally?

We very quickly outgrew our premises and in July 2021 rented privately a run-down house at Rua Almirante Reis 145, near the railway line in Olhão. We spent money and hundreds of hours renovating it to become the multipurpose centre it is today. The Charity was formally incorporated on 16 July 2021.

And how many people do you help?

Today, the Charity has 42 registered clients.

What services do you offer?

A freshly-made, nutritious lunch is offered six days a week, with filling, tasty main courses plus salads, fresh fruit and drinks. A food box is offered for the Sundays that we are closed.

Is it only food?

The house features a clothes ‘shop’ with separate departments for women, children and men. Donated clothes are washed, mended and pressed. They are free to take, but donations in return of, say, a half dozen eggs or a morning’s help in the kitchen, are encouraged.

Food and clothes – what about for those people you’re helping to get back on their feet?

We also have a furniture ‘shop’ three doors down to help those clients recently relocated to set up a new home.

Often people in need, especially the elderly, have health issues that need addressing. The charity provides wheelchairs and crutches, plus adult diapers and simple medicaments. Patricia also helps clients get registered at the Centro de Saúde – even if they lack their Cartão de Cidadão – takes them to their consultations, and advocates for them.

What about Olhão’s homeless population?

A few of our clients are street people. They visit us for a hot shower and a shave, then leave with clean clothes, a full tummy, and their heads held higher. We also have a fortnightly visit from a hairdresser, and in the winter evenings we do a hot food run for them.

Do you have permanent staff?

We rely entirely on volunteers – there are a few kind-hearted expats who volunteer (and polish up their Portuguese language skills in the process), as well as various clients and local community members. We always need more volunteers!

How are you funded?

The Charity receives no state or Municipal help (though not for want of asking). We are funded by donations of money, mostly from clients of Chá Chá Chá, donations of goods from the local Portuguese and the expat community, and donations of food from the local community and, occasionally, Chá Chá Chá’s suppliers. A fundraiser run by three wonderful members of the expat community put on a dinner at Chá Chá Chá. Another dear friend has designed a Friends of the Charity scheme with various levels of annual donations called the Cegonhas. There’s a Golf Day at Benamor being organised for January 26th but the truth is, we’re always desperate for funds. The substantial shortfall each year is met by Chá Chá Chá.

What percentage of the charity’s income goes towards its administration?

A FINAL THOUGHT… WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR THE CHARITY?

Zero. 100% of all donations are translated into direct tangible help for our clients.

How has the Cost of Living crisis affected you?

It’s a struggle. The landlord has recently raised our rent by 50%; donations are down and all costs are up.

What about the future?

We have just rented previously disused premises three doors down from us as a larger furniture ‘store’. There we will also be able to offer emergency (max three nights) housing for those families or individuals who find themselves temporarily homeless.

How can I help?

Thank you! You can donate money via www.paypal.me/foodbankolhao or via www.gofundme.com/fundraiser-loveforall Contact us please for Cegonha membership and for our bank details if you’d like to set up a transfer or Standing Order. Oh, and donations in person at Chá Chá Chá are always welcome, too!

Is there a Tax Scheme?

Yes. If you’re a Portuguese taxpayer you can nominate us as your Charity of choice and we’ll receive up to 0.5% of the tax you pay.

What about food, clothes and home stuff?

We’re always delighted to receive fresh and packaged food, clean clothes, and furniture, homewares and kitchen equipment in good condition. We’re generally unable to arrange pick-ups; please contact Patricia to receive deliveries.

And how can I volunteer?

We’ll welcome you with open arms! Please contact Patricia or Kevin to become part of our loving, happy family.

We have three. The first is financial stability so that we are not constantly living hand to mouth and always having to beg for favours. Next is to open a local lunch diner (we’re eyeing up some premises as we speak). This will both allow us to create a modest income stream for the Charity whilst also offering training, employment and growth opportunities for some of our clients. And lastly, it would be absolutely wonderful if the work that we’re doing was successful enough that it made the Charity’s work redundant! Our aim is not to keep people dependent upon our services but wherever possible and practical to help lift them to realise their potential to live in a better, sustainable state within the tough-but-tolerant Olhão community. A big thank you to AlgarvePLUS for featuring our work.