Every year the Refúgio makes an occasion of switching on the thousands of bulbs on the home’s century-old tree, inviting hundreds of guests to share its young charges’ excitement.
This year was the 30th anniversary of the ceremony and guests of honour included D. Manuel Quintas, Bishop of the Algarve, Faro Mayor Rogério Bacalhau and Manuel Pereira Cracel, President of the Association for Officials of the Armed Forces.
Dr. Luís Villas Boas, the head of the home and one of the country’s leading campaigners for children’s rights, took the opportunity to voice his thoughts on the current state of childcare and protection in Portugal, and his hopes for progress.
During formal speeches preceding the lighting of the tree, Dr. Villas Boas seized the moment to urge change in Portugal and for care homes to stop being perceived as “deposits” for institutionalised children.
He stressed the need for more effort to be channelled into foster care and early intervention for endangered babies and youngsters.
Mayor Bacalhau reiterated that message, saying it is “everyone’s responsibility to report any cases we may see or know of, of children at risk, to minimise the impacts and dangers.”
Describing the Refúgio’s Christmas tree as “an iconic symbol” of Faro, he added, Tuesday evening’s event marked the start of the festive season not only for the home but also for the city.
After the speeches came the moment the children had been waiting for, when the thousands of colourful bulbs were finally illuminated, bringing the old tree to life.
Breaking with the tradition of inviting the dignitaries to flip the switches and light the tree up section by section, this year it was the children’s job, much to the delight of the home’s young residents.
The Refúgio has also recently taken delivery of a brand-new 45-seater ‘Dream Bus’, donated to the home courtesy of members of the British community in Quinta do Lago.
Funds for the bus were raised through a series of charity events held by the group over the past three years. In turn, the Refúgio gave one of its smaller buses to the Bom Samaritano children’s home in Alvor.