Adintre, the dedicated homeless charity based in Fuengirola and serving vulnerable people across the Costa del Sol, hosted a special Christmas Dinner on Monday, December 22, at their centre and free kitchen. The facility provides essential hot, healthy, and nutritious meals to those in genuine need – and this year, Adintre truly outdid themselves with a festive feast that brought warmth and cheer to all.
Guests savoured a delicious turkey roast, prepared with care by Joyce Gyimah BEM and her passionate team of volunteers. As diners enjoyed the meal, local musicians filled the air with Christmas songs, ensuring the festive spirit reached everyone. Children from diverse backgrounds, whose families had turned to Adintre for support this holiday season, joined in the singing with beaming smiles and joyful voices.
Recently, Joyce was awarded the BEM (British Empire Medal) by Sir Alex Ellis KCMG, Ambassador to Spain and Andorra, for her work with the homeless and economically marginalised in the Costa del Sol.
Joyce, the founder and president of Adintre, described the Christmas dinner as a resounding success. She expressed deep gratitude for the remarkable progress the organisation has achieved in 2025, thanks to the very generous support of the local community. The celebrations continue: on Boxing Day, chefs from El Oceano Beach Hotel in Mijas will serve a luxurious and highly generous gourmet meal to Adintre’s service users. Then, on Monday, December 29, Chef Bruce from Tibbi Aquila’s Cyrano restaurant in La Cala de Mijas will provide another hearty and nourishing lunch, ensuring no one in Fuengirola goes hungry during this festive week.
Credit: EWN
There were even more surprises in store. Joyce eagerly showed Euro Weekly News reporters a generous donation of handmade leather shoes in sizes ranging from children’s to adults’, for the many who rely on Adintre’s services – often arriving with little more than worn-out footwear on their feet – these sturdy, high-quality shoes will make a real difference to their lives and prospects.
Despite the challenges ahead, Joyce remains ever-optimistic. “We’re stretched tight with the budget right now,” she shared. “We need around €250,000 to operate for the year, and we’ve got about €85,000 so far. But there are so many kind hearts on the Costa del Sol. We’re hoping for another major fundraiser to keep us going – something like the incredible event Euro Weekly News supported at La Scala Restaurant last year, which raised €50,000 to build our new showers.”
Full of Christmas cheer, Joyce added with a warm smile, “Thanks to God for the incredible support from the community this year, I’ve actually been able to sleep properly! Before 2025, I would lie awake at night worrying about how we were going to make ends meet. I pray that 2026 brings the same generosity and kindness we’ve been blessed with this year.”
Adintre’s work continues to touch countless lives, providing not only hot meals and essential items, but also hope, dignity, and the real possibility of a brighter future.
Credit: EWN
On a personal note, we asked Joyce about her dreams for 2026 beyond Adintre. She spoke passionately about a side project on the outskirts of Accra, Ghana’s capital: a small initiative to tackle illiteracy by helping families who cannot afford to live near schools. The building – planned as twelve two-bedroom apartments – is nearing completion. Though it still needs windows, furnishings, kitchens, bathrooms, and other basics, good progress has been made, and Joyce is close to finishing what remains.
This project stands as a powerful testament to one woman’s extraordinary commitment. Joyce has devoted her life to lifting the most vulnerable, offering them not just a full belly and a little love, but the chance to rebuild their lives with dignity and without despair. Joyce, we salute you!