CIFP Virgen de Candelaria, located in Ofra in the municipality of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, orchestrated a solidarity luncheon with the involvement of members and beneficiaries of the NGO Padre Laraña. This NGO is led by Ana María Parache and provides social assistance in the neighborhood, focusing on the comprehensive care of vulnerable children and families at risk of social exclusion. They offer daily free services to meet their basic needs, including meals, educational support, and leisure activities.
This charitable event was made possible through collaboration with the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council. It took place on Wednesday, 24th April, starting at 2:00 p.m. in the dining hall of the educational restaurant within the Department of Hospitality and Tourism at the aforementioned public educational institution.
The initiative was made successful, in part, by the effort of students from the intermediate level Vocational Training cycle in Cooking and Gastronomy. They worked with teachers José Manuel Martel and Enrique Quintero to create the menu. Additionally, students from the Catering Services and Bakery, Pastry, and Confectionery groups assisted in the room service and dessert preparation, respectively. The students from the Artisanal Bakery and Pastries Specialization Course, led by Professor Jacobo Díaz, provided the bread service. All participants contributed to the event.
The director of CIFP Virgen de Candelaria, Julián Fariña; the councilor for Social Action, Education, and Youth of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council, Charín González; and the director and teacher of the Padre Laraña Association, Sol Martínez, represented the three institutions involved in this significant social initiative in Tenerife’s capital.
The councilor emphasised that “initiatives like this successfully blend education and vocational training with social outreach, caring for and motivating our most vulnerable young people, encouraging them to pursue further education leading to significant job opportunities.” The Padre Laraña Association and CIFP Virgen de Candelaria showcased this concerted effort, promoting solidarity and showcasing the professional and delicious outcomes achieved by the students from the Hospitality and Tourism programme.
A longstanding social organisation in operation since 1982
The Padre Laraña Association was established in 1982, originally as a children’s dining facility. Over the years, it has expanded its social services to cater to the evolving needs of the community it serves, primarily in the Ofra neighbourhood.
In 2001, the NGO transitioned into a day centre, broadening its scope to address various aspects of minors’ lives, including family dynamics, education, and other essential social services.
