UPA, Unidos pelo Ambiente (UPA), is an association of young students that Xonguila follows because of the exemplary way in which it has committed itself to carrying out environmental awareness and social solidarity initiatives, while fostering a spirit of camaraderie among its members and other schoolmates at the Portuguese School of Maputo. One of its most recent initiatives took place last December.
At a time of year when, traditionally, people are more inclined to bring some joy and warmth to those in need, but when there is also great waste due to excessive consumerism, UPA, in partnership with its school's Parents' Association, sought to promote, throughout the month, a collection drive for goods, including a charity run.
UPA is an association of young students that has committed itself to carrying out environmental awareness and social solidarity initiatives.
Once the goods had been collected, on 21 December UPA visited the Dom Orione Centre, an orphanage for children with special needs, in order to hand over the goods and spend time with the community there, seeking, with joy and a festive spirit, to make the holiday season a little more special for those children. Members of the Association and other participants then had the opportunity to learn a little about the origins of the orphanage and to hear some of the stories of the boys and girls who live there. Above all, they were able to see first-hand that, despite the particular circumstances of those children, and the difficulties they have experienced throughout their lives, they all shared their humanity, their will to live and, essentially, resilience, that is, the capacity to face and overcome adversity. The gathering was marked by a lively atmosphere with a variety of activities, including games, music, dancing and karaoke.
Through our magazine, as it has already done on its school's social media, UPA wishes to thank everyone who, likewise showing their solidarity, helped it to fulfil its wish of making Christmas 2022 more special for the children of the Dom Orione Orphanage. Aiming also to contribute to a more caring world, UPA encourages all other youth organisations to foster the spirit of giving, and to do so not only at festive times but systematically, bearing in mind that many institutions that help those in need, so useful in a society with as many difficulties as ours, depend on the spirit of solidarity and the concrete support of all of us.
