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Margarida Matos is bridging communities and changing lives with Associação Mais Lusofonia.
For Margarida Matos, a digital marketer with TD SYNNEX Portugal, giving back isn’t just something she does—it’s part of who she is. As a founding member of Associação Mais Lusofonia, a nonprofit dedicated to cultural exchange and social impact, Margarida helps connect Portuguese-speaking communities through art, education, and support.
Founded in 2022, this organization began when Margarida and a group of friends visited Cabo Verde, where they witnessed the struggles of underserved communities. What started as an eye-opening experience soon turned into a mission to make a lasting impact. Today, the organization provides support and connection to communities across Portuguese-speaking countries that face economic and social challenges. From Cabo Verde to Timor, Macau to Castelo Branco, Associação Mais Lusofonia partners with local organizations to bring cultural exchange and charitable work where it is needed most.
One of the organization’s most heartfelt initiatives is its collaboration with local artists and dance groups. The performers work with children to teach dance and create vibrant multicultural performances. But beyond the art, it’s about bringing joy and hope. During one visit, the team performed for men recovering from addiction at a local farm rehabilitation center. One man, overcome with emotion, expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for bringing this [performance] to us and showing us that we matter and are worthy of this experience.” Those words changed Margarida’s perspective, as she realized that what might seem like just a dance to some was, for this man, a powerful reminder of his worth—something he had long struggled to feel due to his past addictions.
It’s clear, volunteering is deeply personal for Margarida. Growing up, Margarida would spend the holidays with her mother, a pediatric nurse, delivering gifts to children in the hospital. That experience planted a deep desire in Margarida to carry that forward. During one of the organizations missions to SOS Children’s Village in Cabo Verde, Margarida met a shy young girl named Yasmin who seemed uninterested in everything but deeply connected with Margarida. Sensing a deeper connection Margarida made a life-changing decision—to become Yasmin’s godmother. “It’s been a delight watching Yasmin grow taller and more mature each year. It’s a gift to see her progress… and it truly means so much to me,” Margarida shares.
Margarida has learned that giving back comes in many forms—whether it’s helping a friend or neighbor, joining an organization, or starting something new. What matters is taking the first step. She encourages others to embrace new opportunities, as they often lead to a deeper understanding of the world and our place in it. Her story is a powerful reminder that kindness has no borders, and even the smallest act of giving can make a life-changing impact.
