It was standing room only when Paul Lantau, President of the Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC), and members welcomed Rotary’s District Governor, Mário Rebelo, to a meeting at Restaurant Couleur France in Almancil.
Mário Rebelo said it was a pleasure to visit such a young club that was energetic and successful in maintaining the requirement of Rotary – service above self.
More than 60 members, visiting Rotarians and guests attended along with Margarida Castanhito, director of Bom Samaritano Children’s Home in Alvor. The children’s home is one of the main charities sponsored by AIRC.
Today there are 34 children, 18 boys and 16 girls, aged from two to 18, at the home. During a presentation, the attendees of the meeting were advised that many of the children had been abandoned, abused or neglected and all needed regular psychological help and counseling.
The main objective was to provide a stable, loving environment the children could feel is their family home. Some children have spent nearly all their lives in the loving care of Bom Samaritano.
As well as providing gifts of clothes, shoes, books and much more, Rotarians and friends have organised three fun days for the children – visits to Aqualand and Aquashow and a jeep safari hunting tigers in Monchique! The Bom Samaratino Children’s Home can be contacted on 282 459 201.
The Almancil International Rotary Club is delighted with its activities and fund raising throughout 2009, with firm plans for continuing this success in 2010.
Anyone interested in learning more about AIRC (all meetings are held in the English language) should contact AIRC Secretary by email on [email protected] or the Incoming President on [email protected]
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