Fashion Show/Dinner Dance Will Support Aspiring University Students

By Kelly Hayes-Raitt

“I want to help save people’s lives,” said 18-year-old Afonso Oliveira. As the first recipient of a higher education scholarship awarded by the Oeste International Community Volunteers (OICV), he might get his wish.

Oliveira was awarded the scholarship to begin his studies at the Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Coimbra (the Higher School of Health Technology, Polytechnic of Coimbra). He is studying to earn his Bachelor of Clinical Physiology degree in four years so he can assist in cardiac surgeries.

The scholarship was funded by a group of foreigners who have chosen Portugal as their new home. OICV was founded in 2013 to help forge deeper relationships between immigrants and Portuguese people. The non-profit, government-registered, all-volunteer organization organizes cultural exchanges, facilitates Portuguese-language classes, participates in existing efforts to provide meals and camaraderie to elderly people, and raises funds for local food banks.

The scholarship program is new and Oliveira was awarded 1500€ to cover his tuition, school fees and books for his first year. Funds go directly to the college. The Óbidos resident was nominated by his biology teacher at his secondary (high) school. An OIVC volunteer committee chose him based on his academic record and financial need.

“Just as we have been given ‘new beginnings’ in Portugal, OICV wanted to nurture promising secondary school graduates as they begin their new lives in higher education, so they can continue to make a positive contribution to the local community in the future,” explained OICV President Joseph Poon. “We hope to expand the number of scholarships each year and invite more local community organizations and businesses to support our Scholarship Project.”

To kick off that goal, OICV is hosting a special Chinese Moon Festival fundraiser featuring a fashion show and a lively dinner. For a 25€ donation, attendees will get to enjoy a three-course feast featuring Chinese roast pork, chicken in a savory mushroom and oyster sauce, vegetables, noodles, lettuce wraps…and a special secret dessert from the good people at Atelier do Doce in Alfeizerão.

The evening will feature a fashion show of funky, fun and colorful custom-designed and hand-sewn garments by members of Busy Bees, a social sewing group based in Praia del Rey, and by Judith Neethling, a graduate of UberGlam School of Design in Johannesburg, South Africa.

João Augusto Félix will give a Tai Chi exhibition and DJ Mark “The Spark” will round out the evening with 1980s and 90s dance music.

“In Chinese culture, the Moon Festival is when our families gather to celebrate our blessings,” said Poon, a native of Hong Kong. “We chose this auspicious time to celebrate our community and raise money for aspiring students in our Portuguese community.”
All proceeds from the event will fund higher education scholarships for aspiring students next fall.

The dinner/dance is Sunday, October 5th at 6:30pm at the ARDC Vauense in Óbidos. To reserve, please email oicv.email@gmail.com and break out your glad rags!
“It would have been hard for my parents without this scholarship,” Oliveira expressed his thanks during a telephone interview. “[My parents] were very happy and proud of me. I really have liked it so far. It’s a lot of classes!”