NGO “Regala Una Sonrisa” warns that there are Portuguese people in Venezuela living with many needs

The president of the non-governmental organization “Regala Una Sonrisa” warned this Monday that in Venezuela there are more and more Portuguese living “with many needs, in need and in need of more help from their compatriots and the Portuguese government.”

“There are a lot of needs, and it’s frustrating to come into the house and see the reality that our community in Venezuela is going through a lot,” he said.

Francisco Soares spoke to Lusa in Caracas during the inauguration of the first program of the NGO “Hogar de los Ángeles Lusitanos” (House of Lusitanian Angels), which enjoys the support of the local Portuguese community and Lisbon.

“The Portuguese community is not doing well, they are not holidaying here (…) we have very big needs and it is difficult for us because resources are limited, we do not have enough help with all the needs,” he stressed. .

Francisco Soares called on the Portuguese in Venezuela and Portugal to help their compatriots.

“They are not obligated to do this with us (…), but they are doing something for a society that needs it so much,” he emphasized.

On the other hand, he explained that once a month they go out into the streets of Caracas in search of homeless people, inviting volunteers who want to take part in this mission.

As for the new house, it was “a project that was implemented with many difficulties and vicissitudes (…), but the house has already been built, there is additional space for receiving those in need.”

“Before we saw people in vulnerable situations and we couldn’t take care of them, we couldn’t take them into our home and we had to rent accommodation (…) and now we have 16 rooms and beds for 32 people,” He said.

The NGO provides primary health care, a clothing bank and a number of activities, including the Walking with Angels entertainment program, which includes scheduled excursions, Francisco Soares said.

“Now we have a place to welcome those who live on the streets and those who have nowhere to stay when they come from another state to complete paperwork or undergo treatment,” he said.

In a conversation with Lusa, the Portuguese Ambassador to Venezuela, João Pedro Fins do Lago, emphasized that the house was born “from the dream of the Portuguese association movement, in this case Francisco Soares and the “Regala Una Sonrisa” and the program of Ángeles Lusitanos.” .

“The dream is to build a shelter for the needy Portuguese and their descendants. A home that, for a day, a night, for a short period of time, will provide the shelter, affection and attention that homeless people need,” he said.

According to the diplomat, this house “marks an important moment in the history of the Portuguese community.”

“The embassy and consular network are extremely attentive and active in Venezuela, but the influence of the state only reaches a certain point. The rest of the path is spent by the community, which supports, helps each other and organizes itself through the associative movement,” he emphasized.

According to the diplomat, the house “is proof that the association movement is coherent, attentive to people and identifies their needs.”

“The Portuguese community in Venezuela is very large. It is a large, working community, perfectly integrated and very successful. But it has borders, and on these borders there are people who need attention,” he said, emphasizing the “merit” that is being carried out by the association movement and the Portuguese state.

At home, Fernando Manuel Leite da Silva, an emigrant from Faro with an education in hospitality and tourism, has been receiving help for almost three months.

“I found myself homeless. I was already sleeping on the street and eating out of garbage,” he explained to Lusa, explaining that he was referred by the consulate to the NGO.

“My mother died and I was left alone. I started drinking every other day at first, and then drank two bottles of rum every day. I have reached an extreme situation of poverty. I no longer washed myself or ate out of garbage.” , he explained.