Madeira Friends launch a pilot project for schools — giving back through digital skills
Escola Básica e Secundária Gonçalves Zarco — Year 2023
In 2023,** ****Madeira Friends** launched a meaningful giving-back initiative at Escola Básica e Secundária Gonçalves Zarco — a 4-week pilot coding program designed to inspire local students and introduce them to the world of technology led by volunteers from the digital nomad and expat community.
The pilot program ran over the course of one month and was divided into four interactive sessions. Its goal was simple yet powerful: to spark the curiosity of Madeira’s youth about digital careers — especially in fields like computer engineering, project management, and programming methodologies.
The sessions were led by Shannone Controu, a former primary school teacher from France who had transitioned into software development. Having fallen in love with Madeira during the pandemic, Shannone stayed and became one of the program’s key mentors. Alongside her, several remote professionals such as Alexandre de Pablo, Damian Sokolowski, Thibault Petit, shared their personal journeys into the digital world to inspire the students and support during the sessions.
Students had the chance to build their very first **websites **using basic HTML and CSS. Just as importantly, they were encouraged to continue learning independently, with mentoring support available for those who wanted to go further.
*“We are givers. We believe the international community — digital nomads, remote workers, and expats — can serve a higher purpose here in Madeira. Almost everyone in our community has digital skills, tech experience, and access to global networks. That’s why, in partnership with the Regional Directorate for Informatics, we brought those skills into a classroom setting.” *stated Luis Calado, co-founder of Madeira Friends
The feedback from teachers, parents, students, and the broader community was overwhelmingly positive. What started as a small pilot quickly gained attraction and opened the door to future opportunities.
When asked why they got involved, the volunteers shared powerful reflections:
Shannone Controu:
“This project brought me back to my first passion: teaching. After moving into tech, I’ve seen how vital these skills are. If we look around, technology is everywhere — and helping young people access it is my way of giving back. If even a few students discovered a passion for coding or problem-solving through this, I’m more than happy.”
Thibault Petit:
“Programming is one of the most valuable — yet underused — skills in school. It can open doors to creative expression, automation, and better opportunities. I was lucky to be introduced to it by mentors, and now I want to pass it forward. If I can demystify programming for someone, make it simpler or more fun, that’s already a win.”
Damian Sokolowski:
“Mentorship has played a huge role in my own journey, and I believe in paying it forward. Madeira was my first big move abroad, and from day one, my wife and I felt a strong sense of community. We want to be more than just residents here — we want to contribute. This project was a way to do that.”
This pilot project was more than just a coding course — it was a bridge between generations and cultures. It showcased the potential of international communities to actively contribute and empower local youth with skills that matter in the modern world. For Madeira Friends, this was just the beginning.
Support for the project came from the Regional Secretariat for Finance and its Directorate for Informatics, under the leadership of then-director Andreia Collard.
🎬 Watch the mini-documentary — a look at the heart of the project, the people involved, and its impact.
📰 See the project featured in the news — coverage from local media highlighting the initiative.
🎬 Go behind the scenes — moments you didn’t see: prep work, and what it was really like in the classroom.
🗞️ Madeira Friends on the local newspaper