The fund efforts of the Barlavento English School in Espiche received a shot in the arm with a Christmas raffle that raised more than 600 euros. The prize was a new computer, donated by the Algarve-based company, 125 Computadores Lda.
The draw took place at the school’s annual Christmas play, a sparkling production of Cinders, which inspired a standing ovation from a capacity audience of nearly 200. The programme for the play, produced and directed by Anne Slydel and the rest of the staff, with musical accompaniment by Jo Wheeler, was also designed and printed by 125 Computadores Lda.
The school, established in 1975, with a current roll of 68 pupils, is trying to raise in the region of 45,000 euros to raise the height of two of its four classrooms.
There is also a plan to build two further classrooms to meet the growing demand for places at the school, which educates primary age children of various nationalities. Headmistress Sheena da Luz said: “At the moment we have a waiting list. So it is important to meet our building fund target as soon as we can, so that we can raise the roof of two of the classrooms to comply with new regulations and then set about the task of building two new classrooms. So far, we have raised about 20,000 euros.”
