Left to Right - Kay Philbin, Eduarda Santos (President of NECI) and Leni Eves
By Leni Eves, Vale da Telha, Aljezur
Last month our local Teatro do Campo group from the Aljezur area presented another variety show at the Adega da Craveira. We decided that the money raised from the ticket sales and collections would be donated to NECI which is located near Luz.
NECI stands for Nucleo de Educacao da Crianca Inadaptada. This charity helps children and adults with physical and learning difficulties.
I visited NECI with Jim and Kay Philbin on Monday 7thMay to meet the President, Senhora Maria Eduarda Santos. We were given an amazingly warm welcome and thoroughly enjoyed our visit there.
Eduarda Santos and Jim Philbin
We were shown around the facilities by one of the many caring staff. Some people working there have been unpaid volunteers for many years. Children from 0 to 6 years can receive therapy here as well as being able to participate in various activities alongside their normal kindergarten experience.
A calming therapy room
A gym at the centre
Once they become adults, they can return here to use the facilities and this also gives their relatives a short break from the intensive and continuous care they need. As well as the play areas, gym, computers, arts and crafts, they are also taken to enjoy horse riding and swimming. There is some funding given by the Social Security but any extra donations enable them to enjoy a more varied and richer experience of life.
NECI has launched a fundraising appeal for equipment for its new residential centre which will provide accommodation
The new residential centre in Montinhos da Luz
Our lasting impression of NECI was the love that was obviously present there. The staff are not only their teachers but also their carers and their “family” too.
If you are involved in any fund raising activities in the future, please have a look at the NECI website – www.neci.pt and consider donating to them. Thank you.