Community...
Making connections By Michael Findlay Conexao is all about connecting people to people and people to places. It’s run by volunteers and will continue to be open on Tuesdays from 12 noon and 3pm, Wednesday and Thursdays from 11am and 3pm. There will be a warm welcome with free tea and coffee and free wifi for anyone who wants to come and meet others at this free drop-in centre inside the City of Lagos Elizabeth will still be available for massage. The foot massage is amazing and along with a body massage it’s just the perfect treatment to set you alive this spring.There is a charge for this service but it is very low winter season prices until end of March. A ladies only Pilates club has started and meets at 3pm on Thursdays in Conexao after the centre closes. It’s hosted by Paige from South Africa and beginners are welcome. Just drop in for free registration. There is no charge but donations are welcome. Conexao will have its first free film night on
March 18th and then again on March 31st. The opening film will be War Room. The doors open at 8pm and the film starts at 8.30pm. Please try and register your free seat by dropping into Conexao or emailing us at conexao-lagos@gmail.com. We have 50 seats available in total so please register now!! Free tea and coffee will be available. All donations welcome to help cover costs. Johanna (Yoka) will be hosting a Let’s Paint Together afternoon fortnightly, starting on Tuesday March the 15th and continuing every other Tuesday from 1pm and 3pm. They will be using water colours and acrylics. Drop in for more information. If you have never painted before there will be others there to help you to get started - no experience is necessary. For more details please phone 962069825 Conexao and the Listening Ear. There is often someone on hand to talk to if you need a listening ear and some are trained councillors
Taking endurance to another level Aldo Kane, crossfit athlete Ross Johnson, stockbroker Oliver Bailey and Mathew Bennett founder of Acorn Homes for children. The passage from the Algarve region of Portugal to tip of the Venezuelan landmass covers a vast swathe of mid Atlantic Ocean, the closest human being to them will be Tim Peake in the International Space Station. A five man team, with no previous experience, will attempt to set the first ever transatlantic Mainland to Mainland rowing record whilst raising £250,000 for the much loved children's charity, NSPCC. Team Essence will be the first ever team to row from mainland Europe to mainland South America, a journey of over 3800 miles. The team set off from Lagos in Portugal and row to the tip of the Venezuelan landmass then onto the Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. The total rowing distance is a staggering 6127km. This is one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges with over 50 continuous days of rowing, 2 hours on, 2 hours off, 24/7. It's genuinely unheard of in this day and age to hear of a bonafide first, in adventure. Team Essence are real pioneers of exploration and adventure. In the boat is Jason Fox, star of Channel 4's "SAS Who Dares Wins”, adventurer
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The team will encounter extreme weather, wildlife and they hope, considerable natural beauty - offsetting the physical and mental hardship they are set to endure. Beyond the back- breaking toil of rowing, Team Essence must constantly manage their bodies’ reaction to the harsh, debilitating elements, with blisters, salt rash and sleep deprivation all without doubt limiting their performance. ”NSPCC is a charity that's extremely close to my heart,” said Team Essence Captain Mathew Bennett “They are often the first point of contact for children suffering from abuse or neglect, which is why we hope to raise as much as we can. These funds will enable the NSPCC to continue the vital role they play, ensuring every child has a happy and safe childhood." Follow their journey on Facebook: Team Essence - The Rogues of Rowing
Facebook: TomorrowAlgarve
who can offer some help and maybe give a fresh perspective and direction in your life. You can arrange to meet Matt at Conexao who can give you free advice on pensions and investments. Please call 960091382 for an appointment. Steve Dunwell our IT expert will be available in March every other week from Tuesday 8th from 2pm. He will give basic training sessions followed by a trouble shooting lessons. Elizabeth has arranged a small good quality second hand clothes rack and donations will go to a mission in Pakistan. If you feel you have something to offer Conexao to help the community please drop in for a cha and chat. You will find Conexao in Lagos centre on Rua Dr Joaquim Tello 32 a, near Hotel Cidade Velha and below the Language School. For more info and a map check out www.conexao-lagos.com or email: conexao-lagos@outlook.com
Celebrating a quarter of a century This year NECI is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The charity, which supports people with physical and learning difficulties, held a series of celebrations to mark the event. There was a celebratory lunch on January 18th people that use NECI, staff, directors, parties and friends. At the end of January there was another anniversary event at the Cultural Centre in Lagos. NECI was created in 1991 by teachers Maria Eduarda Santos and José Manuel Campos, who wanted to create an association for young people with special needs.