A trinca espinhas inovadora: pouco, pequeno e possível! | Sandra Jorge | TEDxFigueiroDosVinhos

Sandra Jorge's Childhood and Family

• Sandra Jorge grew up in the village of Amor, near Leiria, with a close-knit family.
• Her father was a football enthusiast, and they spent many Sundays watching district football matches.
• Sandra describes her childhood as happy, despite her appearance, which she jokingly refers to as "martirizing" her image.
• She was often mistaken for a boy, even being confused with the famous footballer Eusébio.

Sandra Jorge's Early Life and Friendships

• As a teenager, Sandra and her friend Clarinha would use a phone book to find the phone numbers of boys they met at the CRC 22 de Junho disco in Amor.
• They would then try to contact these boys, using the example of a boy named Oeiro da Fonte.
• The speaker describes a situation where she was trying to find someone's house and ended up having a conversation with the mother of Oliver, a friend of the person she was looking for. This conversation led to a friendship and eventually, the speaker became the godmother of Oliver's son.

Sandra Jorge's Career Path and Interests

• The speaker reflects on this experience as a moment of innovation, as it was an unexpected connection that led to a lasting relationship.
• The speaker then discusses her own career path, highlighting her love for language and literature, despite her strong skills in math and science.
• She describes her decision to become a chemical engineer and her early career at Similis.
• The speaker emphasizes the importance of having time to learn and grow, which she was able to do during her internship at Metar.

Sandra Jorge's Creative Side and Writing

• She shares a story about winning a radio contest by writing a creative text about her brother being Spiderman, accompanied by a photo of them chasing Sporting players on the beach.
• Sandra Jorge shares a story about how her brother told Ricardo, the Sporting goalkeeper, that he would save the nation. This happened in 2004 when Ricardo saved a penalty, leading Portugal to victory. This victory led to a trip to Universal Studios, which Sandra considers one of the best trips of her life.
• Sandra won a contest to go to Belgium, where she presented a concept for a sustainable Asterix village. This experience, along with her passion for sustainability and circular economy, led her to write about these topics.
• Despite being an engineer, Sandra initially hesitated to pursue writing professionally, fearing that people wouldn't take her seriously. However, she continued writing on social media, focusing on emotions, love, friendship, and family.
• Sandra's ambition is to one day write about her family's love stories.

Sandra Jorge's Work in Water Supply and Community Service

• In 2015, Sandra took on the responsibility of coordinating water supply for Aliria, a team of people working 24/7.
• In 2020, she also took on the role of coordinating water supply for the Cente Litoral region.
• The speaker, Sandra Jorge, is part of a team that manages water supply for the region of Figueiró dos Vinhos.
• They are dedicated to serving the community, despite the challenges of distance and the often-overlooked nature of their work.
• Sandra emphasizes that every person deserves equal attention, regardless of location or population size.
• She draws inspiration from her family and the people around her, finding good ideas through observation and interaction.
• A photograph of her with her son, taken on a beach, represents her life's journey and serves as a reminder to appreciate the simple moments.
• The speaker is proud to have been part of a project that rebuilt a house in the village of Figueira, following the devastating fires of 2017.
• The speaker describes her experience volunteering with a family to rebuild a house. She was an engineer during the week and a volunteer on weekends, working alongside many people from all over the country.

Sandra Jorge's Appreciation for Life's Simple Joys

• The speaker was inspired by a monologue she saw about "10 wonderful things" and asked her friends to share their own lists. This led her to appreciate the simple joys in life, like listening to rain or seeing a child's reaction to music.
• The speaker shares a story about a friend named Marta and a contest on the radio station Renascença. She submitted an audio explaining their friendship and was surprised to find herself on the radio, performing a song about their bond.
• The speaker emphasizes that she was able to participate in this radio performance because she had a free hour while waiting for a doctor's appointment. She highlights the unexpected nature of life and how opportunities can arise in the most unexpected places.

Sandra Jorge's Leadership in Innovation

• The speaker, Sandra Jorge, is talking about her experience leading an innovation team at Águas do Centro Litoral.
• She emphasizes that innovation doesn't have to be grand or complex; even small, simple ideas can make a difference.
• The team, which includes members from various departments like purchasing, maintenance, and engineering, meets regularly, both in person and virtually, to brainstorm and develop innovative solutions.
• One of the team's projects is "Toma Lá, Dá Cá," a platform where employees can donate items they no longer need to other employees. This project aims to promote collaboration, resource sharing, and a sense of community within the organization.
• Sandra highlights the importance of diversity and collaboration within the team, emphasizing that their shared desire to make a positive impact is what unites them.

Sandra Jorge's "Verdades e Mentiras" Activity and Master's Degree

• The speaker, Sandra, shares an example of a "Verdades e Mentiras" (truths and lies) activity she participated in. She mentions Fábio, who had to choose two truths and one lie about himself.
• Sandra then discusses her decision to pursue a Master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in 2023. She felt it would be beneficial for her role as Innovation Team Coordinator.

Sandra Jorge's "Sofia Gurus" Project and Senior Empowerment

• Sandra highlights the importance of lifelong learning and emphasizes that everyone will age. She and her team, who are all older, are working on a project that aims to address the needs of seniors.
• The project, called "Sofia Gurus," is a social innovation initiative that focuses on valuing the knowledge and experience of seniors.
• The goal is to create a platform where seniors can share their expertise and mentor others, whether it be for personal development, professional projects, or organizational initiatives.
• Sandra believes that seniors possess valuable knowledge that is often overlooked, and she wants to empower them to contribute their wisdom to society.
• While acknowledging that the project won't solve all the world's problems, Sandra is passionate about creating a platform that recognizes the value of senior knowledge and experience.

Sandra Jorge's Philosophy on Making a Difference

• Sandra Jorge emphasizes the importance of small, achievable actions, drawing inspiration from her Catholic upbringing and experiences with community living.
• She believes that everyone has a responsibility to make a positive impact, even if it's through small acts.
• Jorge highlights the importance of personal connections and meaningful relationships, stating that her definition of success is having loved ones in her life and being able to connect with people who make a difference in her day.
• She shares a personal anecdote about winning a game of rock, paper, scissors with her son, emphasizing the joy she found in a seemingly insignificant victory.
• Jorge concludes by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share her perspective and encourages others to find happiness in the small things.