The Department of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families, and Equality, through the Andalusian Women’s Institute (IAM), has organized more than 40 activities for the daughters and sons who live with their mothers in shelters for victims of gender-based violence in Andalusia. This edition of the Vacationers program, which takes place from July 1st to September 7th, includes leisure, cultural, sports, and educational activities with the aim of promoting a fun and violence-free holiday.
The Vacationers program is based on education in values of equality, respect, and empathy to achieve in the sheltered individuals a correct expression of emotions, conflict resolution, respect for diversity, reinforcement of self-esteem, and an increase in autonomy after the violence suffered. This program is of particular importance for the child and youth population in shelters, as it provides a space for creation, fun, learning, sharing, and getting to know their new city. The activities are carried out by a multidisciplinary team, in which monitors play a fundamental role.
The Minister of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families, and Equality, Loles López, has stated that «this program is part of the recovery process for the minors in shelters from the aftermath of the traumatic experiences they have had to endure.» In this line, she highlighted that «the objective is to facilitate their return to normalcy as quickly as possible, and that involves having normalized holidays, full of games, laughter, and fun.»
López recalled that this program takes place during the holiday periods of Christmas, Easter, and summer throughout the comprehensive network of care and shelters for victims of gender-based violence in Andalusia. She also emphasized that in «the shelters, which consist of emergency centers, shelters, and supervised apartments, comprehensive care is provided, including psychological, socio-labor, and legal counseling to contribute to the recovery of victims of gender-based violence.»
More than 40 scheduled performances
The over 40 scheduled performances this summer are divided into four groups: creative, educational, sports/cooperative, and recreational. The creative activities offer the opportunity to delve into understanding reality, exploring it, learning to express oneself, especially through music workshops, a mini-chef school, or creating summer murals. There are also puppet-making workshops and theatrical performances.
In the educational block, learning and the development of emotional expression are encouraged, with reading promotion as the central axis. There are book clubs, school support workshops, science workshops, English, and new technologies, among others.
Regarding sports and cooperative performances, the aim is to enhance psychomotor development, as well as develop cooperative attitudes, promoting the real and equal participation of all participants. In this section, there are water games, excursions to natural spaces, dance workshops, yoga, and kite-making workshops.
Finally, the recreational initiatives provide opportunities for fun for families while promoting knowledge of the new place of residence, the appreciation of cultural heritage, and its relationship with the city’s history. These joint outings enhance the relationship between mothers and children. Trips to the beach, cultural visits, summer cinema, or themed parties are some of the planned activities.
