Articles | Cabo Verde Network

David Ribeiro: USA Boxing

David Ribeiro with Joey “Gee” Gomes

“I want to be an inspiration coming out of the community showing others like, hey, look at David Ribeiro. He’s doing big things, and I want to inspire others to do the same,” said Ribeiro.
And so far, David Ribeiro, a native of Brockton is doing it, as one of the top contenders in his weight class…. Cape Verde even wanted David to represent them in the Olympics 2016.
“If you focus, put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. I’m confident and I train every day. And I want to show people, you gotta believe in yourself…”
David’s dad says his son has become the star of the family. You can see the father’s pride written all over his face. But dad remembers a time when he thought David’s journey through life was taking a wrong turn.
“…I see drug dealers, I see homeless people,” David recounts, “Hey I could have been like them, you know, growing up I was a bad kid…”

Thankfully his parents steered young David back on track.
“We have to put David into something. If we don’t put him in something, things are looking bad,” said David’s father, Bebiano Correia.
“My parents put me in boxing, boxing kept me out of trouble. Boxing kept me in school. Boxing kept me disciplined, and it kept me busy, kept me focused on the right path.”

City street workers like Joey Gomes are making a difference here too.
“I started mentoring David cause I felt that even though he had a father and mother, he didn’t have a brother,” said Gomes. Joey wanted to make sure this talented young man stayed out of the streets by staying in the gym. “David realizes he wants more. When you don’t want more, you settle for less. And I always tell him; you got to want more brother. You have to want more, you have to believe it, digest it, sleep it, wake up with it, pray on it, ask god for guidance, but you got to really believe this. Because haters, nay sayers, they are always going to be around to get in your bus,” said Gomes.
For this young creolo, success doesn’t come from just being in a gym.

“Success comes from a dream or vision. Like Muhammad Ali says the desire that you have deep inside you. If its not boxing, it can be school, it can be anything but overall don’t settle to be ordinary but make a difference for your family, for your country, for the city, and you know, you can, its all up to you.”

Ambulance Donated to Brava

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To most Americans, the sight and sound of first responders rushing to help someone is routine. But it’s a different story on the tiny island of Brava in Cape Verde. That’s why the mayor of Brockton and Fall River Massachusetts are hosting a fundraiser to pay for the cost of shipping of an ambulance to Brava.
“When I had the opportunity to visit Brava the year before last and spend some time there, one of the things that we came home knowing is that the access to medical care there is limited,” said Bill Carpenter, Mayor of Brockton.

Brewster refurbished the ambulance and stocked it with the latest medical technology and supplies.

Brewster refurbished the ambulance and stocked it with the latest medical technology and supplies. Brava’s mayor, Orlando Balla, is pleased.
“To me it’s a little bit more than just the gift of the ambulance. It’s an expression of togetherness, an expression of wanting to help, and to bring Brava into the 21st century..” said Balla.
As a number of Cape Verdean Americans mingled inside the Santana Restaurant And Function Hall with other residents of Massachusetts, Fall River’s new mayor, Jasiel Correia, said he was honored to take part in what will be the first of many efforts to help people in Cape Verde.

“It’s obviously important to me because its part of my heritage. My dad is from Brava, my mom is from the Azores, but my Cape Verdean culture is extremely important, so it’s an honor to be here tonight.”
The people of Brockton, MA have already sent a vehicle like this one to Fogo. Carpenter says he expects the city and its residents will donate even more.

President Jorge Carlos Fonseca visits USA

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On Friday July 8th the President of Cabo Verde, Jorge Carlos Fonseca, embarked on a four-day visit to the United States where he met with political and community leaders within the Cape Verdean communities. President Fonseca took his time to personally greet each individual who was present when he made his visit to Brockton
“Its with great pleasure to once again welcome you here to the city of Brockton, President Jorge Carlos Fonseca,” said Bill carpenter, the Mayor of Brockton.

July 8th, 2016 officially proclaimed as President Jorge Carlos Fonseca Day in the city of Brockton

The president then presided over a vigil ceremony and tribute to the soldiers and other victims of the Monte Txota massacre back in April. A white balloon was released into the sky for each of the fallen victims from the massacre. The mayor of Brockton reflected the strong relationship between Cabo Verde and Brockton with a special gesture.
“As mayor of the city of Brockton, I do hereby proclaim today, July 8th, 2016, as President Jorge Carlos Fonseca Day here in the city of Brockton, and I urge all residents of the city to recognize this occasion for all the wonderful contributions the Cape Verdean community has made to our city.”

The President then held a 30-minute press conference with Mayor Bill Carpenter. He spoke of uniting Cape Verdeans worldwide and not just in Cape Verde. And that’s the purpose of his mission. It feels like home in Brockton with how the Cape Verdean culture spreads through the Cape Verdean diaspora.
“I’m a great admirer of the President’s leadership and accomplishments in Cape Verde since he became president in 2011,” Carpenter said.
The President’s four-day stay also included stops in Rhode Island where he met with state officials as well as other Cape Verdean community leaders of the area. Then he ended the trip with visiting the Governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker.