Orion Gives Back – Orion Portugal’s Helena Ferreira Visits São Tomé

​​Service in the communities in which we live and work is an integral component of Orion’s DNA, with Orionites worldwide dedicating their time to important initiatives under the broader Orion Gives Back umbrella.

Last month, Orion Portugal’s Helena Ferreira launched a mission in São Tomé, a remote West African Island in the Gulf of Guinea.

Upon arrival, Helena met with local São Tomé officials and representatives from the Portuguese embassy to determine the most pressing needs of those in the community.

Initially, the mission was intended to afford dental care to the impoverished inhabitants of West African island nation, sending foreign dentists monthly to provide free care to those in need. The scope of the project was quickly expanded though after Helena had an opportunity to visit the small village of Saudade.

With a population of a mere 180, Saudade’s infrastructure, or lack thereof, was alarming. Meagerly constructed dwellings lacked proper furnishings like beds, bathrooms were virtually nonexistent and the dilapidated condition of the schoolhouses was particularly concerning.

Helena and team brought much-needed supplies to the children and even provided some instruction to both the students and faculty during their visit.

Saudade had such a profound impact on Helena, that phase two of the mission has already been planned. With help from local contractors, Helena and team will work to build houses throughout the community and help the natives develop a self-sustaining agricultural economy.​

With foreign dentists scheduled to visit the nation regularly now and the marginal improvements the team made in Saudade, the impact made in just one visit to São Tomé is extraordinary. We’re all eagerly awaiting updates from phase two of yet another tremendous Orion Gives Back initiative!