The
Education Centre aims at establishing and implementing a programme of continuous
training of educators, coordinators and technicians, so that they may fully
attend to the pedagogical and social needs of the children and adolescents of
São Martinho. To achieve this goal, the Centre promotes meetings, seminars,
courses and lectures, aiming at elaborating material which may used by educators
as a pedagogical parameter.
The
main concern of São Martinho's Art Workshops is to promote recreational and
pre-qualifying activities, as a way to complement the socio-pedagogical work
developed by the institution. Through woodwork, broom-making, jewellery-making,
crafts and creative techniques (drawing, painting, and embroidery, among others),
the children and adolescents developed greater sensitivity and self-esteem.
This is achieved in step with the process of self-understanding and contact
with their own creativity and they begin to value the products they learn
to make, and are subsequently commercialised. The project also gives support
to other São Martinho workshops, some of which are temporary, such as those
in theatre, photography and tapestry.
The
task of spiritual development of the boys and girls of São Martinho works as
a stimulus to faith and to love for their fellow beings. To this end we run
meetings, video sessions, retreats and discussions about a variety of themes.
The participation in pastoral celebrations and religious festivals is also encouraged
