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Now she is Theresa Porfirio Rodrigues, living in Oakville since 1981, and married to architect Victor Rodrigues, with a handful of children ranging in age from 21 to 4; Tabitha, Jason, Derek, Ryan and Alyssa. She has only one miniscule regret (we gather), "It seemed like every time I got close to earning a degree I got pregnant." Still she has her PhD in children (honorary). Her life is full. While she works as an administrator in the architectural firm InterArch in Toronto, her volunteer work in this comâ€" munity is clearly where her heart is. As it turned out Theresa‘s aunt had come to Canada some years before and offered to sponsor the children as landedâ€"immigrants in Toronto and to assist with their education. It was an offer they could not refuse. Thus began Theresa‘s adventures in Canada. Armed with a quick wit, a charming sense of humor, and an excellent working knowledge of the language she prospered. Education was a top priority to the Porfirio family but when the vineyards experienced a financial setback in the 1960‘s there was no longer enough money to send the children to private schools. What to do? heresa Porfirio was born and ! raised in the hot, dry land north of Lisbon, Portugal, one of three children whose father owned vineyards. Initially, the girl went to a convent school in Lisbon run by Irish nuns. Amongst many other things, she learned to converse in English very well. (She also learned to speak French and Portuguese, of course, and while picking up a basic understandâ€" ing of Spanish and Italian.) Theresa Rodrigues â€" multiâ€"talented volunteer |THE ONTARIO CENTRE FOR MARTIAL ARTS| "I don‘t like housework," she says, "or cooking." (When the reporter suggests this may be more of a generational than an ethnic thing, she laughs, as does her daughter Tab.) What is true, in any case, is that Mrs. Rodrigues is vigorously and proudly Canadian. Since coming to Oakville she has been a translator and interpreter for the Halton Multicultural Council, helping Portuguese immigrants overâ€" Interviewed in her spacious west Oakville home, there is a sparkle in her brown eyes as she suggests she does not fit the mould of the traditionâ€" al Portuguese woman. "And not a hyphenated Canadian," she points out. With more years in this new country than she had in the old, she is fully committed to Oakville and to Canada, though her Portuguese roots are strong. Training for Life! St. John Ambulance 466 Morden Rd. #201 Oakville, Ont. L6K 2T3 (416) 844â€"4844 Theresa Rodrigues She maintains it is fulfilling to help someone solve a problem, any kind of problem; and with kindness maybe make them a better person. Her other cause celebre is the Oakville Literacy Council of which she is the President. Much comes down to reading and writing, Rodrigues says. Success, failure, famâ€" ily values, personal dreams. come language difficulties, access services and get settled in the comâ€" munity. Currently she is an Executive Vice President with that organization. It must also be said she is wellâ€" known to the Regional Police. It is often Theresa Rodrigues they call (day or night) when someone whose first language is Portuguese runs amok of the law. It is a volunteer serâ€" vice she offers gladly. "Every time I walk into a police station I try to do as much as I can for that person," she explains. "I imagine a member of my own family, in a strange land, in trouble, and unable to communicate. I hope someone would be there for them." Family is most important to this woman. "I really enjoy helping people," she says and candidly admits she is fortunate to have the kind of job and financial security that allows her to volunteer her time. On a personal level she adds, "The moment you get someone to actually read a passage in a book â€" well," she laughs, "it‘s really a high." Volunteering definitely has its rewards. Also Treasurer of the McLachlan _| Faces Hairstyling team, and I look forward to seeing omm you at my new :WR 83 Rrwynomws Sr. 844â€"2504 College Parent‘s Association and the Halton representative on a Portuguese Youth Camp Committee, it is obvious this lady has never had a problem getâ€" ting into the "parade." Indeed, she (See ‘Racism‘ page 10)