At the end of May, Education Sciences students from Lusófona University — including those from the Bachelor's in Social Education, the Master’s in Special Education – Cognitive and Motor Domain, and the Specialisation in Adult Education and Community Intervention — visited the Flamenga neighbourhood in Marvila. The visit was guided by Nara Miranda, from Akademia Mar & Vila (Community Group of the Flamenga Neighbourhood, Marvila).

The students visited the Porta Amiga Centre, run by the AMI Foundation, and learned about several community initiatives taking place in the Flamenga neighbourhood. This AMI hub operates as a Day Centre, where several local women meet daily and take part in a variety of in-person and online activities.

The students listened not only to the team responsible for the community space but also to some of its participants:
 "I had never been to a museum before, and now I don’t want anything else."
 "This place is like another family. I don’t feel alone. I know that if I need anything, I can call any of them."
 "Here we sing, go on outings, do crafts, crochet. We have movement classes. We play. We learn so much from each other."

In addition to hearing these moving testimonies, the students joined in a STOP game and sang well-known folk songs. It was a memorable moment of warmth and shared joy. After all, they are all part of this great human family that enjoys welcoming others, celebrating together, and feeling embraced and recognised.
 "You could feel that warmth and joy you get among lifelong friends, even though they were just meeting for the first time" – Professor Margarida Belchior.

A heartfelt thank you to each and every one who contributed to this wonderful morning of shared experiences and learning — from all the students and the organising professors, Margarida Belchior and Maria Odete Emygdio da Silva.

Yet another way of opening the university to the outside world and reaching out to communities, promoting Public Science.