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Justice, now!

Saturday 24th August 2024.

Publicidade

The housing crisis in Portugal is getting worse, and there is a lot that needs to be changed politically in order to resolve it. Until then, we have to contribute in whatever ways we can. Specifically, by helping CASA – Support Centre for the Homeless, which provides aid and support to hundreds of people every day…

With these words, the cabaret artist Diogo Faro’s crowdfunding campaign begins on the platform https://ppl.pt/causas/faro, which is open until Monday 2 September at 6pm and aims to raise 3,500 euros for the Portuguese support centre for homeless people, ‘CASA’, in Lisbon. Instead of giving him a birthday present, it would be better to make a donation to a charitable organisation that helps the homeless. Because Diogo Faro is due to celebrate his birthday again soon. And the campaign has already raised more than 1,000 euros. With a bit of luck and by ‘spreading the word’, the news will reach all corners of the country and be passed around. Instead of simply saying nice words, why not do a good deed for a charitable organisation? Because having a roof over your head, sleeping in a bed and eating a healthy meal is the least that anyone should be entitled to on a daily basis…

Diogo Faro tells his fans: ‘I don’t need anything (for my birthday), but we can use the same common strategy for those who need something. So I spoke to CASA – the centre for helping the homeless – and set up this fundraising campaign, which I believe will be incredibly useful for the institution…’

The housing crisis in Portugal is tragic. And while there were some signs, albeit insufficient, that the previous government was trying to solve it, things are only getting worse with the current government. The “gold visas” are back, the few restrictions that existed on property ownership have been lifted and any kind of rent control is a complete illusion.

 

Diogo Faro has turned his birthday into a political event and is offering his help. He says: ‘We will stand up for everyone’s right to housing in various ways.’ If you have five or maybe ten euros to donate, you can already make a big impact with just a small amount…

Uwe Heitkamp (64)

trained TV journalist, book author and hobby botanist, father of two grown-up children, knows Portugal for 30 years, founder of ECO123. Translations: Dina Adão, John Elliot,  Patrícia Lara
Photos: Uwe Heitkamp

 

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