Called Associação Lighthouse Global, the organisation works with children, young people and families facing challenging circumstances, to provide educational support, opportunities to learn new skills, encouragement and, perhaps most importantly, a safe and welcoming place where young people can grow and feel valued.
The Lighthouse centre reminds me of the youth clubs of my childhood. Children go there after school to finish their homework and have the opportunity to take part in art, music, gardening and cooking. They play games, pool and table football, but behind the fun is a serious purpose.
At Lighthouse, someone will listen, offer encouragement and believe in the youngsters’ potential. Part of its mission is to strengthen the community based on the belief that education, solidarity and opportunity have the power to transform lives. The aim is to improve school performance, prevent school dropout, develop personal skills and give young people equal opportunities to discover what they are capable of.
Lighthouse was created in 2022, initially as a response to the educational difficulties many children and young people experienced after Covid.
Patrícia Norte, co-founder and director, has worked as an English teacher and trainer in Portugal and Macau, and holds a Master’s in Education. She explained: “Lighthouse did not begin as a grand plan to create a charity but evolved from a desire to use my experience and convictions to serve the community after I became increasingly aware that education can be much more than academic support.
“It can give people confidence, opportunities and a different perspective on what is possible for their lives. We believe that every child and young person should have access to the same educational opportunities and resources, regardless of their social or financial background.”
The war in Ukraine brought another immediate need, and Lighthouse responded by offering free Portuguese lessons to Ukrainian adults needing the language to work, and to children needing Portuguese to integrate into local schools. This gradually developed into a broader community project centred on education, empowerment and service, when it became clear that there was a need for something more structured and sustainable. “Giving people knowledge, skills and support can have a lasting impact.”
Around 20 children are currently enrolled at the Portimão centre. Educational support is offered through a small contribution based on each family’s social welfare bracket, while workshops and additional activities are free. Family members are also encouraged to participate in personal development activities and workshops.
The centre also has a “Young and Mentors” scheme, where older students volunteer to help younger pupils with homework, share their knowledge and develop their own skills. It is a two-way relationship whereby the younger child gains help, encouragement and a positive role model, while the mentor develops communication skills and responsibility. It is an important part of Lighthouse’s philosophy of empowering young people rather than simply doing things for them.
Within the centre is the Lighthouse’scharity shop selling donated items to raise funds for Lighthouse’s projects and providing another important link with the wider community.
Volunteers too are central to Lighthouse. With more secure funding, Patrícia would like to employ people to help with the day-to-day running of the centre, but new volunteers are always welcome, from teachers and people with skills in music, arts and crafts, personal development training or simply to help in the charity shop. Marketing and communication are also areas where Lighthouse needs support.
Last February, I decided I would like to volunteer to run art workshops for children but had no idea where to start. A chance encounter with my artist friend David Trubshaw, who knew Patrícia, soon resulted in us starting fortnightly art sessions at Lighthouse.
We have worked on drawings, collages and paintings, and for me, it has been very rewarding. Volunteering is not simply about what we give, but it is also about what we receive in return.
As I also run the Sovereign Art Foundation Student Prize in Portugal, which raises funds to help disadvantaged children through art, I hope to get the two organisations working together in the future. The Foundation has kindly agreed to pay for the art materials we are using this term.
Lighthouse’s philosophy is not about providing temporary assistance and creating dependency, but about working alongside communities, developing local skills and creating opportunities that can continue to grow. Its motto is: “We illuminate lives through education and service,” and this philosophy has now extended to Bita in Angola, where Lighthouse has opened its first community space.
So many children in the community had little or no access to education, very limited literacy skills and needed basic reading and writing support and the classes that began in June now support more than 100 children. Local volunteer educators help run the classes, with plans to eventually develop training and community development initiatives.
The Angola project is currently funded primarily through private donations, fundraising and supporters rather than government funding. Patrícia’s aim is to develop something that can eventually become increasingly sustainable and locally supported so that it does not rely on fundraising. She makes regular visits to Angola to oversee the project and help out, and whilst it is incredibly rewarding, it is also hard to see how much is still needed.
Patrícia’s international experience has also influenced Lighthouse. Having lived in Macau and worked as a teacher and teacher trainer, she has maintained relationships there which continue to support the organisation. She has also travelled to China to participate in educational projects and share her experiences with teachers.
“Teaching in a fully equipped classroom is very different from teaching in an environment without internet, electricity or even desks and chairs. One has to be willing to adapt, be creative and step outside our own comfort zones.”
Lighthouse’s challenges are funding, people, time and capacity, and thereare many ways to help them. Financial donations are welcome, but they also need educational books and materials, classroom equipment, transport support, board games and musical instruments for Portugal and Angola. Regular sponsors and long-term partners are particularly valuable, and an annual membership programme allows individuals to make regular contributions.
As Patrícia puts it, “Lighthouse is a project from and for everyone.”
If you would like to help in any way, contact Patricia at:
Associação Lighthouse Global
Edifício Abicada, Loja G2
Rua António Rocha da Silveira
8500-454 Portimão
+351 966 387 776 | [email protected] | www.lighthouseportugal.org
Instagram: @lighthouse_portugal
Donations can be made by paypal or bank transfer to:
IBAN: PT50 0035 0648 00069130930 09
SWIFT: CGDIPTPL