Africa-Press – Cape verde. First Lady Débora Katísa Carvalho, who is also president of the Dret.u Foundation, launched a campaign of solidarity and support for vulnerable families on the island of São Vicente, affected by the storm on August 11th.
At a press conference held this Wednesday in Praia, Débora Katísa Carvalho stated that São Vicente needs the generosity of everyone today: authorities, organizations, NGOs, ordinary citizens, tourists, Cape Verdeans in the country and in the diaspora, as well as international partners.
“We need a great Djunta Mon movement. What happened in São Vicente on August 11th, with the torrential rains that left a trail of pain and destruction, calls on us all to extend an embrace of solidarity, a movement of empathy, to all those who lost their loved ones, their possessions, and their livelihoods,” she emphasized.
The First Lady emphasized the need to help these people rebuild their lives, as many have lost their homes and are currently unable to return. It is in this context that, “as First Lady and president of the Dret.u Foundation, in partnership with the Cape Verde Red Cross,” she launched the solidarity campaign for São Vicente.
She stated that the main objective is to support families in vulnerable situations, people who have lost all their material possessions and, in some cases, loved ones.
She also emphasized that she intends to promote a major civic and community mobilization so that people continue to visit the island of São Vicente.
“There was already an economic, tourist, social, and musical movement for the Baía das Gatas Festival, and we would like people to continue mobilizing to go to São Vicente, transforming this movement into a musical festival of human values, a great festival of humanity,” she emphasized.
The First Lady stated that Cape Verdeans, and São Vicente in particular, can be a great example to the world of what a festival of human values should be, marked by empathy, friendship, and unity to help restore streets still covered in mud and debris.
Débora Katísa Carvalho also called for the involvement of churches and the Association of Psychologists of Cape Verde in a national and international Djunta Mon to help the island return to normal.
Regarding the scale of the campaign, she said it will be both national and international. “We already have many international partners contacting the platform, the Office of the First Lady, and the foundation to offer support. We will use all national and international networks, and the Red Cross, to raise funds, both material and financial.”
Later, the bank reference and donation drop-off locations will be announced on the Office of the First Lady or the Dret.u Foundation website.
The First Lady also announced that on August 23rd, she will participate in a charity event in Lisbon called “Um Cuscuz Solidário” (A Solidarity Cuscuz) at the Cabo Verde Cultural Center, bringing together Cape Verdeans living in Lisbon and other parts of Portugal.
“We want to bring together Cape Verdeans, friends, and institutions that have expressed a desire to make donations. In the first week of September, we will be in the United States of America, specifically in Massachusetts,” she revealed.
She also announced that air and sea carriers are now available to transport the collected donations from abroad, which will be delivered to São Vicente.
With the start of the new school year in September, Débora Katísa Carvalho emphasized the importance of ensuring that children are able to return to school normally. “We urge people, nationally and internationally, to donate school supplies, as many families have lost everything, including their children’s school supplies.”
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