António Perez Metelo, president of the Helpo Association, was “absolutely thrilled” to receive the Human Rights award on behalf of the non-governmental organisation (NGO). The annual initiative, entrusted to the Assembly of the Republic, was awarded to the Association of Former Uranium Mine Workers, in addition to two gold medals commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Rights, the winners of which were Helpo and the Portuguese Bioethics Association.
The president of the Helpo Association, António Perez Metelo, highlighted the work carried out by the Portuguese NGO in Africa while speaking at the Assembly of the Republic
Goncalo Villaverde
During the official ceremony, which took place in the Portuguese parliament on 16 December, the head of the Portuguese NGO insisted on sharing this public recognition with each of its members, volunteers and patrons. “It may not seem like it, but this medal bears many of the faces of all the people that made it possible”, he declared. According to the jurors, the medal was awarded due to the “continuous programmes and projects geared to humanitarian aid, community development and education for human development” implemented by the organisation in countries such as Mozambique and São Tome and Principe.
“After 14 years, the Assembly of the Republic has given us the recognition this work deserves, and which needs to be, and will be disclosed to each and every member of the organisation's staff, volunteers and 4000-plus patrons”, António Perez Metelo declared to Energiser. In his opinion, this achievement is of particular importance in helping Helpo to reach an increasing number of people and, consequently, expanding the support the NGO provides to communities of African children. “As word of Helpo spreads, more and more institutions, such as the Galp Foundation, are joining forces and spurring us on to do more”, he said.
“As word of Helpo spreads, more and more institutions, such as the Galp Foundation, are joining forces and spurring us on to do more”
All support is welcome, particularly at a time when, after nearly two years of the pandemic, a reduction may be seen in the number of children returning to school. “In the field of education in rural Africa, schools are the only social springboard boys and girls have to create themselves a better life”, he stressed.
Helpo's presence in countries such as Mozambique and São Tome and Principe boosts the contribution to the improvement of maternal and child health and children´s education. Tens of thousands of children and young people benefit from the support of the Portuguese NGO committed to working in developing countries, a number Perez Metelo hopes will continue to increase. “Our secret lies in the fact that a very modest per capita investment can have a highly significant impact and change lives, and our business consists of changing lives”, concluded the president.