The Pyjama Mission has the dream of creating a better country for our childhood. There is a reality in our country that needs to be changed. In Portugal, almost 8.000 children live in institutions, by decision of the Court or the Protection Commission. They represent more than 97% of children who live separated from their parents.
On November 20th, “National Pyjamas Day” is celebrated, which aims to mobilize the country for the cause of “the right of a child to grow up in a family” while they cannot return to their parents. When we change the way we think, the country changes. When many people change their way of thinking, the country changes faster.
In this context, all children from Year 1 to Year 4 are invited on November 20th to come to school in pyjamas, in one of the following ways:
– Children traveling on school buses must come with their uniform and bring their pyjamas in a bag so that they can wear it at school.
– Children who are transported by their Parents or Guardians, may already come home with their pyjamas on and whether or not they bring their uniform.
The initiative also has a solidarity component.
It is much appreciated by children, schools and families. The children receive the paper money box from «Casa dos Pijamas» and are invited to carry out their first solidarity mission. On November 20th, children must bring their piggy banks to school, with the donations they managed to raise (even without donations, you must bring them).
From an early age, they learn the values of friendship and sharing, helping the cause: “a child has the right to grow up in a family”. The small donations collected by the children, from their families, are delivered to your room on National Pyjamas Day.
EITV, November 18, 2024
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With our best regards,
The Project Coordinators,
Vanessa Silvestre, Daniela Sousa and Filomena Martins