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Francisco Martins Sequeira (first portrait in display) continues to live in a precarious structure, without water or electricity, near the São Filipe fortress. Still, since 2020, the year he joined the CASA Association, in the middle of the pandemic, he has been one of the most active members of the Setúbal* branch. On tuesdays, he takes charge of the kitchen as part of the “Tacho Solidário” project, which provides meals to around 70 people in vulnerable situations.

“He’s an example of commitment and perseverance. But it also exposes the flaws in the system, which still hasn’t provided him with dignified housing,” Susana Marques points out. For the CASA coordinator in Setúbal, the association’s mission goes far beyond distributing meals: “We work to ensure that every person is seen, heard, and respected. Human dignity is at the heart of everything we do. And that is the foundation of any just society.” At this intersection of human rights and community action, CASA in Setúbal proves, every day, that it is possible to build bridges where there are gaps, and to restore hope, even where the system has yet to fully reach.

A Bridge of Dignity is a project that brings to light the incredible work of volunteers and the vital role they play in the social fabric, especially in a time when values are increasingly fragile and priorities often reversed. The exhibition was held at Praça dos Mártires da Liberdade, in a public and accessible space. It gave voice to stories of resilience, empathy, and voluntary action, bringing the community closer to the harsh realities experienced by those living in exclusion, so often pushed to the margins of collective awareness.

* Setúbal is a fishing town located about 50 km south of Lisbon, in Portugal