It’s an annual event. A small group of children who live in the Sahara come and spend their summer in Torrevieja free of charge. It’s a gesture to show recognition of the harm that Spain did when abandoning the area, creating many refugees.
This year there are ten children who are taking part in the ‘Vacaciones en Paz’ and are staying with local families. On 18th July the children met the mayor, José Manuel Dolón, at the town hall and received gifts including school equipment.
The programme that takes place every summer is organised by FANS which stands for Familias de Acogida de Niños Saharauis. Carmen Pérez is the president and she has made an appeal for more families in subsequent years to provide accommodation as there are no shortages of children who can benefit.
The age range of the children varies from six years old to ten and children are limited in the number of years that they can take part. Back in their homeland, they live in very difficult conditions in refugee camps. The temperature there reaches 56 degrees in the summer and they do not have the luxury of air conditioning and sometimes lack water too.
In addition to this summer placement scheme there is also one which allows children to attend during the school year and return to their homes in the summer. At intervals, items are also sent over to the camps including basic provisions such as toothpaste. Recently, 800 toothpaste kits were distributed there.
Whilst the children are over here they are able to relax and enjoy themselves whilst also undergoing a variety of medical checks to ensure that they are in good health.