Events
Solidarity day – Brotherhood St. Vincent de Paul
Another solidarity activity was held on 24 April 2012. The group of volunteers consisting of employees of the Faculty of Medicine and of the Shared Services of the University of Lisbon was extremely welcomed by the Board of the Brotherhood St. Vincent de Paul and all its members.
In the morning there were outdoor activities involving land clearing, paint work, gardening, and cleaning of annexes. After lunch, some continued these activities, while others visited the elderly ladies of the Brotherhood, taking snacks, music, and, above all, their own company.
In the end everyone (volunteers and members of the brotherhood) was visibly happy for the success of this day. We intend to repeat the initiative next year, either at this institution or at any other that needs it.
Finally, we express our thanks to all the volunteers who signed up and so generously gave their time and willingness to work. We also thank "EntreAjuda" (Mutual Help), which accompanied us preparing and carrying out this initiative.
(source: Faculdade de Ajudar website)
Solidarity Day FMUL/SSUL Testimonials
André Rodrigues P. Silva
Library-IDC
"My overall opinion of the initiative is clearly positive, and I think it was well co-organized by FMUL and the Brotherhood St. Vincent de Paul. The experience gained will surely help us improve our contribution in the near future.
The possibility of bringing something new to the day-to-day life of the elderly of that institution was, for each of us, an opportunity for inner development.
I believe that we all feel the need to create this habit in FMUL, and I think that Faculty to Help is doing precisely that. It is good for those to whom we can give some kind of assistance, and it is good for us as an institution. People get closer and get to know each other better, thus enabling a type of interaction that a more formal/institutional relationship does not allow.
I believe that the very distinct fields of social solidarity and charity should not be mixed. As a higher education institution, only the former should be of interest to us, as we offer a variety of services and possibilities that will enable us to positively contribute in that context. Only social solidarity can add to the development of society. "
Ana Murteira
Human Resources Unit
“Making someone smile gives us such joy and it is so much more rewarding when we know that those we make smile do not have many opportunities to do so. It was not easy to face a reality that frightens us so much. What made it worth it was the warm welcome by all those present. Leaving was hard, when we know how much more still needs to be done…maybe another day…”
Carla Lucas
Faculty to Help
faculdadedeajudar@fm.ul.pt