The Galp Foundation promoted the "Street Shoe-Shiners" initiative, an initiative by the "CAIS" association to combat poverty and social exclusion within the framework of the "Empower Today" project.
The mission of CAIS is to contribute to improving the living conditions of homeless people and those who are not homeless but are deprived, excluded or at risk. Founded in 1994, it operates mainly in the districts of Lisbon and Porto, although it has collaborations with institutions throughout the country.
Its activity began with the launch of a magazine sold by homeless people, with 70% of the sales reverting back to the sellers.
Every Wednesday morning during the month of May in 2011, Mr. Sérgio Pimentel was at the main entrance of Tower A, in Lisbon, providing his services as a shoe-shiner, and new dates for this initiative are already planned. The fee for this service was donated entirely to Mr Sérgio Pimentel.