The “Olhar Poente” Private Social Solidarity Institution is starting a new cycle following the inauguration of its governing bodies for the 2025-2028 quadrennium, which took place on January 18 in the building that serves the Study Academy in Praia da Vitória. After eight years as vice president, Sandra Serpa became president of “Olhar Poente.” Francisco Melo, former vice president of the Fiscal Council, takes over as vice president, with Rafael Sequeira Fernandes as chairman of the General Assembly and Luís Mendes Leal as chairman of the Supervisory Board.
In a ceremony for members and guests, the newly elected president delivered a series of thanks to Sérgio Nascimento,” who, over the last 15 years, as co-founder, presided over this institution, dedicating a substantial part of his personal life
to the success of Olhar Poente,” said Sandra Serpa. She recalled the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of every employee for the success of the quality response provided by the institution.
Thus, and continuing the strategy developed in recent years, Sandra Serpa mentioned “the maintenance of Olhar Poente, its expansion, the contracting of more places more places in daycare and CATL, the reinforcement of social projects,” as some of them as some of the objectives of the new board, also recalling the importance of involving private companies when it comes to social issues, affirming the importance of maintaining partnerships and “building bridges between the social sector and private
companies. Society and the community have changed, and nothing can be built without the foundation of partnerships to achieve goals.”

Sandra Serpa said she takes on the role of president with pride and a sense of responsibility; the institution’s mission is of enormous importance, as it has “The main focus is on the children, who are the reason for our existence, where we concentrate our efforts and develop where we concentrate our efforts and develop projects to have adequate responses to each and every child, as the individual beings that they are”. Adding, “for Olhar Poente there are no differences, but rather the right to equality, fairness and, above all, responses that fit within the different needs”.

Sandra Serpa is 42 years old, from Horta, and has lived on the island of Terceira since 1999. She is an elementary teacher at EB1/JI Infante D. Henrique, with a degree in teaching, a Master’s Degree in Pre-School Education and Teaching of the 1st Cycle of Basic Education, and a postgraduate degree in Philosophy for Children. She began her career in Education at 19, after completing the Technical Course for Childcare Assistants as a Teacher’s Aide. When she finished her Master’s degree, she began her career at Olhar Poente as a Kindergarten Teacher at the Vila Nova Nursery and CATL in 2011. From 2013, she also took on the Technical and Pedagogical Director position of Olhar Poente until 2018. Since 2016, she has been vice-chairman of the board of that institution.

From a Press Release (photos from the site: https://olharpoente.pt/)

Speech by the new president of this social organization serving children and families on Terceira island, Azores.

Dear members and guests.

I would like to thank you for your presence and participation at this important moment for Olhar Poente. The children, fathers, mothers, employees, and everyone who has joined this institution have allowed us to maintain the spirit of OP’s mission after 15 years.

I would also like to say a special thank you to Sérgio Nascimento, who, over these 15 years as co-founder, has presided over this institution, dedicating a substantial part of his personal life to OP’s success. Without his proactive stance, decisive character, and constant motivation, the road ahead would certainly have been more complicated.

I would also like to thank all the employees involved daily in performing their duties in an exemplary manner, going far beyond the established working hours. We realize that closing the door is not synonymous with the end of a working day. There are many things to take home, both professional and emotional.

Today, the new governing bodies will take office for the 2025-2028 quadrennium. As president, I face this challenge, as do the other members who have agreed to join the list of candidates, with pride but above all with an enormous sense of responsibility.

As you know, Olhar Poente (OP) has celebrated 15 years of existence. 15 years marked by an enormous amount of work and the development of various social projects. This work has expanded its scope, opening up more services in the municipality of Praia da Vitória and providing a quality response to all the families who come to us and whose trust we deserve.

This new board’s objectives include maintaining and expanding the OP, contracting more places in daycare and CATL, strengthening social projects, and building bridges between the social sector and private companies. Society and the community have changed, and nothing can be built without partnerships to achieve goals.

We know that we can continue to count on the commitment and dedication of our work team, which goes far beyond the governing bodies and involves professionalism from education assistants, general services, maintenance, educators, and other technicians for the future of OP.

Finally, I would like to reinforce OP’s sense of mission in social issues, with the main focus on children, who are the reason for our existence, where we concentrate our efforts and develop projects to have adequate responses to each and every child, as the individual beings they are. For OP, there are no differences but rather the right to equality, fairness, and responses that fit in with different needs.

Long live Olhar Poente. Our institution and yours. More than an institution, it’s a second family.

Thank you

Other images from this wonderful organization

rpt

Translated to English as a community outreach program from the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL) as part of Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno, PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.