Families residing on the beautiful island of Tenerife will welcome a total of 40 Sahrawi children this summer, with the number rising to 110 across the Canary Islands, all thanks to the Summer in Peace initiative promoted by the Canary Islands Association of Friendship with the Sahrawi People (ACAPS).
The Noble Hall of the Cabildo was the venue for the official reception of the children on Thursday, with the event graced by the presence of the Cabildo’s president, Rosa Dávila, who warmly greeted the families and expressed gratitude for their involvement in this programme.
Dávila described Summer in Peace as “a means of fostering solidarity between the people of the Canary Islands and the Sahrawi community”, highlighting that it “places the well-being of the children at the forefront, contributing to their welfare and future growth”.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Social Action, Águeda Fumero, announced that “for this edition, we have increased our grant to ACAPS by 10,000 euros from our department, aiming to launch a campaign to boost the number of Sahrawi children who can enjoy their holidays with families in the Canary Islands, in a safe and healthy environment.”
Fumero emphasised that “each time we make a call, Tenerife responds positively” and reiterated “our heartfelt appreciation to the families who host these children, offering them a chance to spend a summer away from the harsh temperatures they endure in the camps, providing access to medical care and engaging in various activities.”
The event also saw the presence of Persi Arzola, coordinator of the Summer in Peace Programme, Alisalem Sidi Zein, representative of the Polisario Front, Alberto Negrín, President of the Canary Islands Association of Friendship with the Sahrawi People, along with members of various political parties within the island’s administration.
