A better tomorrow

Opportunity and encouragement can change attitudes and support inspiration by making it possible to realise a dream. This Trust is a life-changer for many

EBFT WAS BUILT by Keith Courtney from Wigan who moved to the Algarve in 1998 and lives today in Figueiral in Almancil. Based on a model he had successfully established in the UK in 2012 – to help children of secondary school age to flourish despite not having the best start in life – he converted two buildings and a plot of land on the outskirts of Loulé into a haven for young people. The Loulé project, completed in June 2022, and named after his partner Elaine Bain, who passed away in 2020, was set up to focus on providing help and inspiration to youngsters in need, offering them a real alternative, and true opportunities.

Prior to establishing this life-changing initiative here, Keith and Elaine volunteered with the Salvation Army in São Brás de Alportel, and were aware of the levels of poverty affecting families within the town. It’s often impossible for others to understand the affects on young people that go beyond things like lack of food, clothing or having a safe place to sleep at night. It affects aspirations. Children living in such conditions struggle to understand how life could be different. They can see other people around them achieving and progressing, but it is hard for them to understand how life could be for them. Often, generations of the family have lived the same way and faced the same outcomes in life. Breaking that cycle takes courage, strength and determination to take the smallest of steps in a different direction. The Elaine Bain Family Trust helps children to take those steps, supports them, guides them and demonstrates how a dream of a brighter future can become a reality.

The staff at EBFT are mindful of the youngsters they have in their care and ensure that they are grouped together to gain the maximum benefits from their time spent at the centre. Ivone Sousa, manager of EBFT, explains: “We support about 90 children, divided into groups of approximately ten children each, that visit the trust on a weekly basis to undertake a range of activities. There are some children from a school in Quarteira, others from three associations in the local area – the Salvation Army, Akredita Em Ti and Project Mud@ki. We aim to help each of them identify and develop their individual skills.”

Initially, EBFT received a group of children with special educational needs from a school in Quarteira but wanted to engage with more schools in the area. Teachers and students were invited to view the facilities. “They came, and they said ‘Wow, we want to be here’, and they started spreading the word,” says Ivone. “As a result, four more groups of children joined the activities at the centre, and the numbers grew quickly, as other teachers and associations learned what we had to offer.”

And the learning facilities available are impressive. The main house provides traditional classrooms, a kitchen, dining area, games room and calming zen room. Outside, the gardens fulfil a multitude of purposes. Practical elements: a vegetable garden and flowers that need to be tended throughout the year. Fun elements: swings, a putting green and a natural pool. Sensory elements: smells, sounds and colours benefitting students with educational needs.

Smaller, quiet areas offer places where children struggling with school or difficult home lives can sit quietly and rest for a moment. In the grounds of the Trust is a fully-equipped outside kitchen where children can be taught to cook and to where teachers can bring their own students. There is a small but functional hair salon where students can develop an interest and learn skills that will help shape a career. And there is a workshop, again fully equipped, and yoga studio.

These facilities are not just for show. Each has been carefully created with purpose in mind, and reflects a key aspect of EBFT, where children are encouraged to express their emotions through their chosen activity, using that as the basis for learning. The focus is on creativity and that comes from Elaine Bain herself, who was an avid photographer and many of her pieces are displayed around the main house.

The opportunity for young people to learn and express themselves in ways that traditional learning sometimes fails to provide is what makes the overwhelming difference. During my recent visit, the ‘students’ were watching a film. Ivone explained: “The objective is that they will choose something that they would like to illustrate, something that touched them, or a lesson they learned from the movie. The children will paint their work on a wall in the garden, contributing to the environment while providing a sense of ownership and belonging.”

Creativity and awareness of the needs of others underpin activities, including cooking. Volunteers teach the children to plan and produce a meal; they use local ingredients, picking herbs and vegetables from the garden. After cooking, they share the meal, eat together, wait until everyone finishes, and clean the table. They also prepare full meals for 12 to take to Refood in Almancil, along with any leftovers from their own meal, for others who need help.

Currently, a project is being developed for those who have special skills in the arts. The intention is that the kids will manage the whole process, from planning the theme and what they are going to make to creating it, and then going on to planning an exhibition, and that involves selecting the pieces to go on show, securing a venue and finally displaying their work to the public. These annual events will highlight the positive impact of EBFT on children’s learning, and key to that is the pride the youngsters involved have in their accomplishment and the selfconfidence that results.

Volunteers Needed

EBFT is privately funded, providing further opportunities to engage with the local community and to support other vulnerable children in the area. “We were invited to Quinta Shopping to share some of the activities we do here with other children, during the school holidays. The money we raised from that project will go to Mud@Ki,” says Ivone proudly.

EBFT is always on the lookout for volunteers. To date those with a passion have taught children photography, art, cooking, tai chi, dance and carpentry –subjects that aren’t offered elsewhere. Do you want to make a difference?

If so, contact Ivone Sousa at ivone.sousa@ebft.pt

What of the future? It is very clear from spending time at EBFT that this is just the beginning. There is a plan: to start with a class of children aged 12 to 13, who will come every year until they are 17. The goal is to show them what’s possible, providing the motivation to learn and follow their passions in life.

EBFT is already achieving its own dream of making a difference; tomorrow promises even more.

Amara now has an outdoor terrace for al fresco dining with beautiful views over the golf and pines. And the chef is currently busy adding some exciting flavours to the delicious 2023 menu.

RMAÇÃO DE PÊRA. Most people can’t pronounce it properly, but if you can then you’ve heard of it and you’re probably not crazy about it.

Armação de Pêra is definitely not one of the world’s hot spots, but it IS plopped right on top of one of the most glorious stretches of coastline in the world.

One November afternoon, the sun was still belting down (though summer was long gone) and I had gathered together a crew of mates. Our mission was to make a video which involved paddleboarding, caves, secret beaches and an old hotel which has been serving up super comfy sleeps since the 1970s.

We slipped into the water and paddled out through the glassy coves, drone buzzing overhead, capturing our every move. Soon we found ourselves in a deep tunnel which opened out into a mysterious cave, complete with sandy beach and two light holes which beamed down golden rays onto the sand. It was like a hidden world had opened up and only we were allowed in.

Heading back to the Holiday Inn after a sunset drone session, I marvelled at the age of this hotel. It was iconic, previously being called the Hotel Garbe and was designed in the late 50s when tourism was just rearing its head. Tourism in the form of hotels had been constructed all over the country with the support of the Estado Novo’s ‘Pousada Project’, which commenced in the Algarve in the 40s in São Brás de Alportel, the pousadas built as part of the government’s public works programmes, which had seen great improvements in the country’s roads.

A 1964 article in Life Magazine praised the Hotel Garbe as the “Ritz of the Algarve” and it is still a noteworthy hotel to visit in 2023; its stunning location