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Education and Community Development

GiraCatavento develops educational and recreational activities in Timor-Leste.

Our goal is to promote the learning of the Portuguese language and the cognitive development of children and young people. In the future, we aim to expand our activities to the PALOP countries. Through initiatives that stimulate curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, we want to prepare the next generations for a bright future connected to the world.

Our History

Meet the Team!

Behind each project of our association is a passionate, curious, and energetic team. A highly qualified team aware of the inequality of opportunities and the lack of balance between developed and emerging countries, united by the education and development of often forgotten people.

Scientists, engineers, administrators, and artists, all with different experiences and talents, but united by a common goal: to contribute to science, culture, and the community.

Board

Adriana Mamede

President

Adriana is our President and a true knowledge enthusiast. She graduated in Biochemistry, Forensic Chemistry, and Biosciences, but she likes to go far beyond books and laboratories, being part of the Artistic Direction of Rancho de Eira Pedrinha, Condeixa-a-Nova, Portugal.

She is Vice-President of miniBIOQS – Science for All Association, because she believes that science should be accessible to everyone. And, even though she says she’s a bit rusty, we can’t resist telling you that she also plays the transverse flute!

Adriana is guided by two mottos that say a lot about her: “Knowledge is never wasted.” and “Why?” is the most powerful question in the vocabulary of any language.” – and perhaps that’s why she’s always ready to learn, question, and inspire.

Board

Inês Fonseca

Vice-President

Inês is our Vice-President and brings with her a wealth of knowledge in Medicinal Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences. But it’s not only in the academic world that she stands out: she has collaborated and volunteered in various organizations and associations, such as miniBIOQS – Science for All Association and Molecular JE, among others, always showing a willingness to contribute and make a difference.

In her free time, she divides her time between weight training, yoga, and pilates sessions — balance is the key word! And when 90s and 00s music plays… no one can get her off the dance floor!

Her life mottos reflect her spirit well: “Let life surprise you and learn from every moment and challenge it brings” and “You’ll only know if it works by trying.”

Board

Paula Coelho

Treasurer

Paula is our Treasurer and the person who ensures everything is in order on the administrative and financial side of the association. Trained in Secretariat, Administrative Management, and Advisory, she combines organization with a good dose of creativity.

Outside of work, Paula loves being in the kitchen: she is a culinary enthusiast and always ready to try new recipes. Another of her passions is ceramics — creating, shaping, and sculpting are forms of expression that give her immense pleasure.

With a generous heart, she lives by her mottos: “Do what you love and love what you do” and “Be kind, always.”

Fiscal Council

Pedro Vaz

President

Pedro is our Chairman of the Fiscal Council and brings with him a background in Biomedical Engineering. He currently works in a company related to renewable energy, specifically in the manufacturing of wind turbines — always spinning towards a more sustainable future!

In his free time, he divides his time between table tennis, as a player at CTM Coimbra, and the canvas, where he unleashes his creativity as a painter.

He follows a motto that is reflected in everything he does: “True intelligence is not knowing everything, but knowing where to find the answers.”

Fiscal Council

Marco Silva

Secretary

Marco is our Secretary of the Fiscal Council and has a strong background in Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering. He is a guest lecturer at the University of Coimbra and also acts as a consultant in the areas of Digital Transition, Software, and Brand Management.

Despite all this experience, there is a curious specialty that sets him apart: buying the wrong tickets – whether dates, times, or even locations, no confusion escapes him!

He is a born optimist and his mottos speak for themselves: “Think about the solution, not the problem” and “I don’t know yet, but I will learn.”

Fiscal Council

João Rainho

Reporter

João Pedro, better known as JP, is our reporter of the Fiscal Council. Trained in Computer Engineering, he is someone who likes to apply the same logic and dedication both at work and in his personal passions.

In the kitchen, he enjoys experimenting with new recipes; in sports, he is a badminton player and coach; and, to top it off, he also participates in contests – always ready to win the most varied prizes.

The motto that accompanies him reflects his approach to life: “Winners are not those who never fail, but those who never give up.”

General Assembly Board

Bernardo Albuquerque

President

Bernardo is the Chairman of our Assembly Board and his background in Chemistry goes hand in hand with his passion for science and knowledge. He was the founder of the National Association of Chemistry Students and Molecular JE – the Junior Enterprise of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Coimbra. In 2023, he took science even further by publishing a children’s science book, “The Science of Things.”

He lives in Portugal but has spent time in Brazil and Italy, experiences that gave him new perspectives and enriched his journey.

His life mottos reflect his way of being: “Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be discovered” and “Discontent is the first step in the evolution of a man or a nation.”

General Assembly Board

Hugo Ferreira

First Secretary

Hugo is the 1st Secretary of the Assembly Board and brings with him a solid background in Medicinal Chemistry. He is a true associative entrepreneur: he was a founding member of the Moto Clube Motomeãs and Molecular JE.

When he’s not involved in projects or work, he likes to express himself through dance – especially in Afro-Latin Dances – and also considers himself a big fan of anime and manga.

His life philosophy is summed up in an inspiring motto: “If you don’t like the destination, don’t accept it. Instead, have the courage to change it to what you want it to be.”

General Assembly Board

Sara Almeida

Second Secretary

Sara is our 2nd Secretary of the Assembly Board and graduated in Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Science is one of her great passions, but there’s another that cannot be missed: cats, which always bring a smile to her face.

She was also part of Molecular JE, where she had the opportunity to put her collaborative spirit into practice—something she greatly values.

Her life mottos reflect this way of being: “Together we do better!” and “Helping others is always a good principle!”

GiraCatavento made its debut in Timor-Leste in 2025!

In addition to implementing activities created by our volunteers, GiraCatavento also aimed to amplify the network of collaborations in the country. Currently, we have established the following official collaborations:

<strong>Centro Social Padre Manuel Nunes Formigão</strong>
Memo, Bobonaro
<strong> Centro de Acolhimento Social Santa Clara de Assis</strong>
Tunubibi, Bobonaro
<strong>Abut</strong>
Díli

Developed Activities

With the aim of addressing some of the gaps in Timorese education, we have developed various activities that promote constant contact with the Portuguese language, stimulate reading, strategic and critical thinking, fine motor skills, curiosity, creativity, and imagination, as well as vocabulary and quick-thinking games.

Story Time

Histórias narradas e quizzes para despertar a imaginação.

A Window to the World

Descoberta do mundo através de vídeos educativos.

Health Education

Ensino de hábitos saudáveis e cuidados infantis.

Cognitive Development

Jogos que estimulam o pensamento e a criatividade.

It's time to make education our priority. Let's transform the future together!

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Articles

Filter

We Made Pinwheels!
We Made Pinwheels!

We Made Pinwheels!

October 1, 2025
Mission Timor-Leste 2025
Mission Timor-Leste 2025

Mission Timor-Leste 2025

September 30, 2025
GiraCatavento in Tunubibi
GiraCatavento in Tunubibi

GiraCatavento in Tunubibi

September 30, 2025
Tebe Tebe
Tebe Tebe

Tebe Tebe

August 4, 2025
Tais
Tais

Tais

August 4, 2025
The Challenges Imposed by History
The Challenges Imposed by History

The Challenges Imposed by History

August 4, 2025

Testimonials

I really enjoyed working with Adriana and Inês, because they gave us the experience of explaining everything in a very friendly way, and our children also really enjoyed GiraCatavento's activities. We continue to ask GiraCatavento to help us and not leave us alone; we want GiraCatavento to accompany us. Thank you for the activities, science week, and stories. Thank you and kisses GiraCatavento!

GertrudesEmployee of Centro Social Padre Manuel Nunes Formigão

To me, Adriana is a kind-hearted and very loving teacher who liked to help in any situation. I enjoyed working on activities like making pinwheels, recycled paper, and scientific experiments. Thank you for the help, patience, and effort to teach me new things, especially about materials we throw away that can be reused, like paper, boxes, bottles, etc. I hope one day Adi, Inês, and the whole group return to Timor to teach and help again. I am very happy with the service we did together. Kisses and a hug to Adi, Inês, and the whole team.

SantinaEmployee of Centro Social Padre Manuel Nunes Formigão

"And on that day, 07/12/2025, these Young – Lady Doctors – appeared, bringing joy and much wisdom to share with these 'rascals' at the Center. With the magic of Chemistry, arts, and sciences, and with lots of play in between, they managed to captivate, (...) open new horizons for a new vision of the world and the possibilities that education can offer us. This day was greatly enriching for both the children and the trainers who actively participated in the proposed activities."

Sister ZulmiraClarisse Sisters of Timor-Leste, Centro de Acolhimento Social Santa Clara de Assis

The affection that Adriana and Inês had for me, the house staff, and the children, their dedication to the work at the Social Center, as well as at the Maumali School, the help they gave to our girls in the Portuguese language, the life testimony they left, for me, was truly a time of learning. I thank you for your ability to work as a team, the love, dedication, passion for what you do, the skill of creativity, the joy in sharing your knowledge without exception, always with a beaming smile even when things didn't go as planned; the consistency of life always seeking to tell the truth without hurting, putting themselves in the other's shoes.

Sister Saviana SamaqueRepairing Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima, Centro Social Padre Manuel Nunes Formigão

At our Social Center, activities have an annual plan with specific themes that contribute to the development of knowledge and values, enhancing the lives of children aged between 4 and 16, to complement their school studies. GiraCatavento supports and organizes, based on our annual activity plan, a practical and highly beneficial action, making the activities creative, challenging, and very competitive, to strengthen the motivation of the beneficiaries. We thank this Association for the exemplary dedication of Prof. Dr. Adriana Mamede and Prof. Dr. Inês, who, in addition to the Association to which they are dedicated, also contributed as volunteers for the mission in Timor-Leste.

Sister Cristina Paula Duarte MacrinoPresident of the Repairing Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima Foundation, Centro Social Padre Manuel Nunes Formigão

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