THE THIRD LEARNING, TEACHING AND TRAINING ACTIVITY:

CARTAXO, PORTUGAL

Studying migrations, getting to know the situation of refugees and enjoying a splendid country

This work was carried out by the teams of the six countries before the meeting and the Agrupamento de Escolas Marcelino Mesquita do Cartaxo, our host school, designed a set of activities aimed at developing this objective and, in addition, complementing the idea of knowledge and acceptance of the figure of the migrant starting by looking back at times in history in which our countries have welcomed immigrants, or we have been the ones who had to emigrate.

Explanations or readings of the texts by the students took place in one of the days of the meeting in Cartaxo. Then, these texts should be united to create a collaborative production. Some partners used images and videos in the presentation, which were added to the production and everything was prepared to put it together and give it the form of a digital book.

In addition, our hosts organized a highly inspiring and interesting side event. The Associação ProAbraçar, which is an association of volunteers for the integration of refugees and minorities, explained their work in an entertaining way, showing real testimonies by means of videos and, in addition, motivating all the students present at the meeting to carry out educational activities. They intended to make them empathize with the problems of refugees and migrants and they encourage them to carry out a later reflection.

From the very moment that the school headmaster Mr. Jorge Manuel Tavares, the coordinator of the project in Portugal Mrs. Carla Simões and other teachers of the team welcomed the visitors at the school, there was an excellent atmosphere.

All of them took part in very effective ice-breaking activities, as well as team building activities to learn more about the day-to-day life of the students of these six countries that make up our association.

Cultural visits were not neglected, starting with a walk in Cartaxo town centre and the meeting at the Town Hall with the Mayor of the Municipality.

Among other wonders that were visited near Cartaxo, it would have been unthinkable to leave the nearby capital of the country without a visit. Lisbon could have justified a thousand Erasmus practice and research projects for its intense artistic life and its monumentality. Our Portuguese friends took us in one day to the main areas of this city, whose history dates back to prehistorical times. The young participants learn so much in such short time and got so involved in the life of the city, that many of them will surely come back to Lisbon.

During a whole day, the students had to follow questions about what they visited in the capital: the Castle and Alfama, Rua Augusta, Terreiro do Paco, the Lisbon of the Renaissance, the Jerónimos Monastery and the modern Lisbon of the Expo.

The visit to Santarém also appeared on the agenda prepared by the Portuguese partners. It’s a beautiful city with an interesting historic centre full of Gothic monuments and quiet alleys. From the Jardim das Portas do Sol, the River Tagus, embracing the city, is like an iridescent mirror at sunset.

During the week, there was time to learn about miracles and spirituality in the Sanctuary of Fatima, to travel to Nazaré, which is several towns in one as it offers history, an endless blue sea, gigantic waves, magnificent gastronomic culture, picturesque corners and ladies with typical costumes, what else could you ask for? After that, Óbidos appeared on the route at the end of the day and reminded everyone of a fairy tale town.

Undoubtedly, both the young participants, as well as the teachers who attended this mobility, created very good bonds of friendship and communication between them and we can affirm that this was key to achieving the objectives of the mobility and making it a total success.