Eva Viana: "The difficulties experienced by my family led me to voluntary work"
Attending the Masters in Work and Organizational Psychology at the Faculdade de Filosofia e Ciências Sociais of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Braga, Eva Viana, 21, recognizes that "studying at Católica is a dream come true" and that this was only possible thanks to the scholarship she received to attend the degree in Psychology. Support that she always showed she deserved.
"I tried very hard to get good grades because I wanted to prove to my mother that I deserved to be at Católica and that I recognised the effort she made for me and my siblings," says the student.
Although she has always liked helping others, she recognises that it was at university that volunteering became a serious part of her life and it was not by chance that, when it came time to choose, she opted for Vida Norte, an association that supports families in need.
"I chose the Vida Norte association because I wish my family had had help from associations like this when they needed it most," says the young volunteer, adding with emotion that "it wasn't easy. The family was big. There were six children and two adults living on two minimum wages".
"My brothers had a very bad time. Worse than me. There were times when there was no money to pay for water or food to put on the table. They ate Cerelac at mealtimes and many days there wasn't even that," Eva says.
These are moments that she does not forget and in volunteering, she finds a way to make a difference in the lives of those who need help.
At Vida Norte, she "looked after the babies while the mothers attended classes". But what she really enjoyed was "going to people's houses and helping the children do their school work. The joy of the kids in those moments was magic happening," she adds. An experience that, she says, "was only possible thanks to the University. It was the university that helped me understand how voluntary work functions. They were the link with the association".
Grateful for this incentive and for the help of many teachers for a smooth entry into the world of voluntary work, Eva Viana highlights the "fundamental role of Professor Ricardo Peixoto", who, besides the initial interview, accompanied her in her first contact with the association where she would do voluntary work.
An activity that was only interrupted with the arrival of the pandemic. Now, the path has changed. In addition to "partial volunteering", promoted by the UCP, which consists of providing students with the opportunity to participate in specific voluntary actions, Eva is creating a team management project in the university's community service area with her master's degree colleagues.
With many dreams to fulfil in the professional area, which include human resources management, the student has no doubts that volunteering is here to stay.
To the young people who have not yet had this experience, she leaves the following advice: "Try it. You will see how your life changes forever. It is something that cannot be explained. It really is like magic. It takes us out of the bubble we live in and makes us more complete".