Rain in April
20 April 2000, by Ana Cl�udia Ferreira

There's a saying in Portugal that says something like "In April it rains thousands". For two weeks it has been raining in Portugal, and Braga has specially received lots of rain. Such an amount of rain seems to be having a competition with the city. Braga is in its more important week, Easter, and for that reason, many things are happening. The city is preparing herself to receive, like every year, this important moment. The cultural programs are ready, the churches have been cleaned, the streets have Easter signs everywhere, and throngs of tourists are discovering what was once called " Bracara Augusta" (the city's name during Roman times). The rain crosses the city and hits the windows of every building, including the one that is the Habitat for Humanity Braga office. Inside, the staff and volunteers are fighting against this weather, thinking that tomorrow's sun will shine again. The work in the office is rolling, but everybody is thinking about the English Global Village group who is working in the Cunha House, close to Braga. Over there, you would discover that hands, sweat, and faith are mixed to form strong work, which is also competing with the rain. This group is used to British rain, and even though they expected our typical southern Europe sun, they threw themselves completely in this work. The Cunha House is the second project for Habitat for Humanity Braga. This is a project for a three person family: Mrs. Coelho and her two children, Helder who is 20 years old and Beatriz who is 22 years old. This family moved to Cunha with the late Mr. Coelho from Angola twenty years ago, at the end of the Colonial War. They were able to build by themselves the basic structure to their house, including walls and roof, but due to circumstances, were not able to finish it enough to move in. Mr. Coelho had to retire because of a tropical illness contracted in Angola that caused liver damage. This caused a shortage of money, halting construction of their house for nineteen years. Mr. Coelho died in December 1999 leaving his family with even more difficulties. Now it's good to see how suddenly cement starts to cover the inside walls! Walls of bricks and nineteen year-old marks, feeling the weather day and night, spring, summer and winter waiting for coverage. A home that is also the dream of a family; a family, whose eyes seem like a strong sun shining and breaking these weeks of dark clouds. When this house is completed, it will house three separate families for Helder and Beatriz each plan to live there with their spouses. Their mother will have her own room. This large house is going to be perfect for housing all of the Coelhos: Meanwhile, a strong, dynamic action is being implemented in our office. Next week, we are going to make Habitat presentations in two important places. The first is with one of the largest insurance companies of the world, Axa. The other is the marketing department for an international, professional soccer team, the Oporto Football Club. Already, donations are also starting to appear! � The first came from the owner of a restaurant where we took the Global Village Group from England to have dinner. After dinner, the owner gave HFH Braga a contribution of 1.500 escudos, roughly 7.50 dollars. � A nice couple from Lisbon plans to marry soon. Instead, in their wedding invitations, they asked people to donate to Habitat for Humanity Braga in hopes of funding one of our home partner's new home. � A member from Alto Minho club called, saying she wanted to donate a door for our project.

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