On 28 July, Air Force personnel deployed on the Enhanced Air Policing mission in Estonia carried out a charity initiative at a local institution, ‘Padise Kindergarten’, a nursery school for children aged between 18 months and 7 years.

The initiative, organised by the Portuguese military personnel on the mission, included a visit to the kindergarten, during which they had the opportunity to interact with the children and treat them to a special afternoon, filled with moments of camaraderie and sharing, culminating in the donation of tables for outdoor learning, football cones and a 3D printer for creating educational toys.

“Padise Kindergarten” is a welcoming and inspiring environment, dedicated to the education and development of children, respecting their individual pace of development and ensuring safe and educational conditions. The nursery is committed to fostering these children’s development within society, providing them with the necessary support for a bright future.

The headteacher of the nursery school, Triin Merila, expressed her gratitude to the Air Force for its “extraordinary generosity”. She said that seeing the children’s joy was an unforgettable experience and that the donations would benefit not only that school, but also many other children in the Padise community in Estonia.

Through this initiative, Air Force personnel stationed in Estonia have strengthened their ties with the local community, contributing to greater cooperation and solidarity, and reflecting the institution’s values amongst the Estonian population.