EU ADORO OS AÇORES, MAS SABE BEM ESTAR
DE VOLTA AO CANADÁ. BEM-VINDOS!

Alisa Ringelberg -Responsável pelo Club de Tennis para Deficientes

I have agonized over the prospect of speaking to a group of Portuguese Canadians about their own country and how Canadians can help by giving back to their own country in a small way.
We all have a passion, a dedication to family and wish for better conditions all over the world. We have projects to try and help our economy in the Azores as well as ways we can help the people.

In my case, I wish to help the children and young adults in programs at our tennis club:

1 In S. Miguel tennis is not an elitist sport, however, as in any sport or activity requiring knowledge and learning, there must be a price tag. One that not everyone can afford. We have projects in schools to try and get children off the streets and into a viable program where they can be occupied while their parents work, so that they can have fun socializing with other children in a positive way.
We try to help the unfortunate children from poor families, single-parent dwelling, orphans and the disabled.

2 All these children are capable of being part of our program at the club and participating throughout the year, during holidays and in the summer. We can no longer rely on Government funding, but we still need and want to help these families. Too many of these children are left alone at home without supervision.
Our program keeps the children happy, builds confidence and self-esteem and keeps them out of trouble. But we must provide more than a program. We need to provide transportation, caring coaches, many varieties of activities and support for the families and organizations that need it. We have a wheelchair program and we wish to expand. At this time we must try and concentrate the needs of this group.

3 I have been to the Toronto area several times organizing fundraisers here and also organizing events in São-Miguel. In the summer I began a raffle. The prizes are here and if you wish, you may purchase a ticket or make a donation to these children so that we may buy new wheelchairs for them to play on our courts. The draw will be held at the end of the evening. These wheelchairs are special for the sport and very expensive. In the past, our Government has helped and will continue, but in a very small capacity, as there are many needy groups that require attention as well. I have been fortunate to meet some wonderful people who have an alliance with the Azores and have a special place in their hearts for these children and have expressed an interest in helping us. I will continue to try to help these groups in the Azores because I am dedicated to this cause.
My association as a tennis instructor, actually working with these children, has given me an awareness of the importance of keeping these programs alive.
The tourism project I am involved in, to promote the Portuguese culture through families, will also help our cause as a portion of the profits will go directly to this program, so they are linked.

4 Events to raise money to help these programs continue, most be pursued each year, it does not stop with one event. My hope is that there will be many functions, ongoing, throughout the years, for the future. We live in a paradise in S. Miguel and we want to keep it that way. We want to preserve the culture and the beauty of the island. We want to keep it free of crime and keep our young people happy. I believe that our projects will help to do that. One of the beauties of our island is that the culture and religious beliefs are prevalent everywhere.
We see the true Portuguese culture in the small villages, especially.

5 When people visit our island this is what them to see. My involvement in a tourism project to bring visitors from Canada to S. Miguel, will now incorporate the family and provide cultural sightseeing and exposure to the important things in life, to the people of this island. We will provide activities that are more suited the children. The Parents are then free to explore the culture of the people and learn about their traditions. I am not Portuguese, but I appreciate and want to help preserve their culture, through the eyes of the people that live here. I want to help to keep it beautiful and in a small way, keep some of the children happy. I believe that our programs for the disadvantaged families are essential to make everything else work in harmony. As Canadians, as Portuguese, as immigrants, as people with passion and sensitivity, you will embrace your heritage and perhaps help us here, in a small way to keep the island growing and prospering in a positive way.

Muito obrigado pela Vossa atenção, e por ajudarem as pessoas de São Miguel!

E agora, para agrado dos Vossos olhos, vou apresentar-vos um video para vos lembrar porque razão os Senhores querem sempre voltar a visitar-nos.

Lisa Ringelberg
lisaring7@hotmail.com

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