Helping where help is needed

Vânia Miranda balances her demanding role at Nordmann Portugal with volunteer work, aiding the homeless in Lisbon and organizing charity events. Vânia works full-time as a finance, accounting and human resources assistant at Nordmann Portugal. Her job is fast-paced and demanding, as she is in charge of both accounting and employee training at the Portuguese subsidiary. Despite this huge responsibility, she also finds the time to volunteer part-time in the local community, caring for people who are homeless.

There are over 8,000 homeless people in Portugal, and more than half of them live in the Greater Lisbon area*. Vânia finishes work at Nordmann at 6:30 pm, and then between 8 pm and 2 am, she is out on the streets of Lisbon distributing hot meals and clothing to those in need. Vânia says: “Smiling and giving back dignity to those who have nothing is the most important thing for me.”

For Vânia, all people are equal, regardless of their function or position. Vania’s sense of loyalty and commitment is felt every day in the Nordmann family business. She has organized many charity events during her time at Nordmann, and her colleagues haven’t hesitated to support her. Vânia is extremely grateful to each and every one of them. 

One colleague in particular has not left her memory. At a winter charity event a few years ago, a young homeless girl asked her for a coat. Vânia found a nice coat in the back of her van and gave it to the girl. Shortly after, a teammate couldn’t find her coat and Vânia immediately panicked because she had given it away. The colleague didn’t hold it against her; she was just happy that the homeless girl wouldn’t be cold anymore. 

That is true charity!