This morning the group (ten eight-year-old children, as well as a young man of 15 and two chaperones)
was received at City Hall by the Councilor for International Cooperation, Francesca Giannì
The children of the Saharawi people, “little ambassadors of peace” from the refugee camps in Algeria who each year with their presence aim to draw the attention of the International Community to the lack of the right to their land, denied for over thirty years, have arrived in Castelfiorentino.
The group, consisting of ten eight-year-old children and two adults as chaperones (they were joined by a young 15-year-old athlete who participated as a boxer in the Tricolor Olympics in Reggio Emilia) was received this morning in the Red Room of City Hall by the Councillor for International Cooperation, Francesca Giannì. Also present at the welcoming ceremony was Andrea Mezzetti, president of the “Hurria” association, which has been engaged for decades with volunteers (some of them were also present) and the collaboration of other associations in the area in this project of hospitality and solidarity.
Hospitality and stay in our area is in fact also an opportunity for Saharawi children to have a health screening (checks have already been carried out, and fortunately have not found significant problems), share a positive experience of relating with other people, being able to tell their stories, receive affection, listening and human warmth.
The Sahrawi children (Mariam, Ahmed, Wahba, Jalida, Aicha, Abdalahi, Fatma, Zeina, Salamu, Salki, Mourad, Agla) arrived in Tuscany on July 2, and have already been hosted in Fucecchio, Certaldo, Empoli. They will complete their stay in Castelfiorentino until August 21, the date of their departure and return to the refugee camp.
The program of their reception in Castelfiorentino includes art workshop experiences with Atelier Dall’Osso and the Be.Go. Museum, an attendance at area swimming pools, trips to the beach, visits and meetings in Gambassi Terme and Montaione. The farewell party for Saharawi children will be held in the Roosevelt School park area on Aug. 18, at 9:30 p.m. All citizens are invited to attend.
“The children,” stresses Andrea Mezzetti, president of the “Hurria” association, “were welcomed and assisted thanks to the cooperation of so many associations in the area, who listened to their stories and showed the human side of our solidarity. We are confident that this warmth will reach their families and governments in the hope that their right will be restored through dialogue and diplomacy. We too have received and are receiving much from their reception. We have listened to their stories and played with loving children eager to explore a totally new world. Our thanks,” Mezzetti concluded, “go to the Municipal Administration, the Cambiano Bank, the Public Assistance Riunite of Empoli and Castelfiorentino, and the AUSER of Castelfiorentino who have made an active and essential contribution to the realization of our project.”
“With their presence and their testimony,” notes Councillor for International Cooperation Francesca Giannì, “the Saharawi children tell us and remind us of the tragic reality of a landless people forced to live in the middle of the desert, animated by a strong spirit of freedom, but also suffering from food deprivation, lack of medical care, and a dream of independence pursued for decades. That is why I think it is important to support them, but also to facilitate sharing, relationships with our community, because they also help to restore the true value to many things that we are used to taking for granted. It is with this in mind that I renew my invitation to attend the farewell party scheduled for August 18. My thanks, of course, go to the Hurria Association, and in particular to Andrea Mezzetti, who has always passionately pursued this project, in collaboration with numerous associations and institutes in our area.”
People interested in learning more about the project or offering their availability for hosting can write to info@hurria.it