By Andreia Rodrigues
Today, February 22, is my 33rd birthday. I am a psychologist but, most of all, I am the coordinator and summer camp director of the Project New Discoveries (PND) association in Burgau. I’ve been working for the project since 2010 but my story with this ‘family’ began long ago when I was 15 years old.
At that time I was looking for a different summer camp and signed up at the Portuguese Youth Institute. I was the only girl called by PND to participate in their summer camps.
These camps were run by the association’s president, who would pick me up personally from the bus station in Portimão. It was then that I met Nita Barroca and my life took a dramatic turn … These summer camps, inspired by genuine values of integration, solidarity and mutual help, gave me a magical feeling of home, involving me directly with nature and with others.
I realised then that I had to pursue a career in which I could help others, working directly in group facilitation processes.
I had training and, for a long time, was a counsellor volunteer at the summer camps.
I majored in psychology and my dream was to work in the field of animation groups, non-formal education and psychological support. After 10 years of volunteering at PND, the organisation offered me my dream job.
Today I provide training to summer camp animators, coordinate camps and other activities for young people, give psychological support to families andensure that this association provides to other young people the same it provided me – a helping hand to find their place in this world.
Created 19 years ago, Project New Discoveries is a non-profit association IPSS, whose main goal is to help underprivileged children and youngsters by promoting its core value – integration.
Help us to help others and we will give you a tax deductible receipt.
282 697 862 | 965 338 679
