The international cooperation between the Templar Corps International and the Secretary of State for Communities under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guiné-Bissau started on June 10 when the first Class of Electricity kicked off at the Domingos Ramos School in the capital city. Now a new Class was added, on the field of Plumbing, kicking off the 17 of June for 40 new students.

[Trainer Luis Cardoso and Liaison Officer Afonso Mendes after one of the classes]

In the meeting held with His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos PInto Pereira in November 2025 [read the details here], the main focus was to create a Project that would help empower local youth to find a professional future in the country, instead of contemplating emigration as many are forced to. “To transform Guiné-Bissau and give it a new outlook for the future, local talent has to find local opportunities to be of service; that requires empowerment, training, development of existing skills and knowledge based on international standards”, said Luis de Matos, CEO of the Templar Corps International at the occasion. The same point was defended by Mr. Matos during the International Summit Africa, America, Europe – Migration and Diaspora that was held in Lisbon in March.

[Head of Mission Luis de Matos; Past-Commander Herdadinha; Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Pinto Pereira, Secretary of State of International Cooperation Fatumata Jau, former Secretary of State of Communities Nelson Pereira]

Classes and training on Electricity and Plumbing are just the start. New pupils will benefit from the Project in the next few weeks as new subjects will be rolled out. These are skills that can be used immediately in Bissau. Agriculture and Basic Administration will also become a staple for the Project. A list of over 175 qualifying students has been lined up, with 80 now having started their studies. It is expected that their internship (1 week) will take place in Portugal, with the help of Templar Corps partners (including Meddy Ambulances, Camarate Fire Department and others), provided the Visa process is unblocked by the Portuguese Embassy (at the moment there is a backlog of a few months).

[The class during a technical visit]

We would like to thank the Government of Guiné-Bussau for their support; Dr. Afonso Mendes for his tireless local work without which the Project would not be viable; we would also like to thank trainers João Carrilho and Luis Cardoso who travelled from Lisbon, spent many days in Bissau and gave their best to change the lives of a few lucky students who will look back at the Summer of 2025 as “that moment” when everything locked together. Finally we would like to thank all those Templar Corps International members and friends who have supported the Project from day one. Nothing of notice is achieved when we are alone.

This project is another reminder that being a Templar in the 21st century requires far more than wearing a white mantle and a few jewels. The jewels that truly shine forever are the light in the eyes of the ones we touch with our service. Not unto us.