May 16, 2011

After 10 months of frustrations, complications and delays, the Youth Center of Riberia das Patas is finally open. Saturday, May 14, 2011 we inaugurated CADeRuS (Centro de Apoio e Desenvolvimento Rural Sustentavel) or Center for Support and Sustainable Rural Development. Since opening day, the center has been overflowing with children and students. The other day a young girl called over to me from the bookshelf. She was holding the children’s book “Clifford the Red Dog” in her hands. She began drawing her finger across the words on the page, slowly reading the English words and then translating them into Cape Verdean Crioulo. She intermittently looked up to me searching for reassuring approval. Seeing her interest and excitement warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face.

I would also like to introduce you to three important people in my town. Arlindo is 30 years old and the father of two children (Diego 9 and Daniela 4). He is a volunteer coach to a local women’s soccer team. Sandra is 27 years old and the mother of Tatiana 3. Sandra generally spends her days de-shelling beans and performing usual house chores. Gilda is 22 years old and has been raising her 3 year old son Kiki with her boyfriend of 6 years. While she dropped out of high school because of her teenage pregnancy, she has been in a constant fight to make up for that lost opportunity. For the past two years she has been searching for work and constantly enrolling in classes/ trainings to develop valuable and needed skills. Because of your generous donations, these three individuals have gained steady full time employment within the center, allowing them to better support their families.

I just wanted to thank everyone who donated to this project. Hundreds of youth fall into difficult situations every day simply as a result of having nothing better to do. These situations then lead to early pregnancy, drug/alcohol use and dropping out of school. This center which you have helped to create will provide a safe and healthy environment for youth to learn and to just have fun. It will promote creativity, individuality and positive lifestyles, thus leading to a process of self-discovery and hopefully development of future goals. I know you are all busy over there and I also know extra funds aren’t always exactly overflowing, so your support really does mean a lot to me. On behalf of myself and all those children and students in my community, thank you!