UPA’s Solidarity Christmas

Xonguila supports Unidos pelo Ambiente – UPA (“United for the Environment”), a young students association that is committed to carrying out environmental awareness and social solidarity actions, whilst simultaneously fostering a spirit of camaraderie among members and other colleagues from their alma mater, the Portuguese School of Mozambique . One of its most recent actions took place last December.

At a time of year when people are traditionally more willing to offer some joy and kindness to those in need, but also create a lot of waste due to excessive consumerism, the UPA, in partner- ship with the Parents Association of the school, sought to promote activities for collecting goods for the needy, which included a solidarity race.

After completing the collecting activities, UPA visited the Dom Orione Centre on December 21st – an orphanage for children with special needs – to deliver the goods and meet the Centre’s community. Joyously, and in the spirit of Christmas, UPA sought to make the festive 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 hear some of the stories of the resident children. Above all, they were able to verify that, despite the particular circumstances of those children, and the difficulties they experienced throughout their lives, they all shared a common humanity, a strength to live and, ultimately, resilience – i.e., the ability to face and overcome adversities. The gathering was characterised by a lively atmosphere with various activities, including games, music, dance and karaoke.

Through our magazine, and as already done via the school’s social networks, UPA would like to thank all those who, with their manifested solidarity, helped them achieve their wish of making Christmas 2022 more special for the children of the Don Orione Orphanage. Seeking to contribute towards a more caring world, UPA invites all other youth organizations to foster the spirit of giving, and to do so systematically rather than exclusively during the festive season. Many institutions that cater for the needy – so useful in societies such as ours, that face many challenges –depend on the spirit of solidarity and material support from all of us.