Yesterday afternoon, ten ‘little ambassadors of peace’ were welcomed by the local council, with representatives from various organisations in attendance. They will be staying at the ‘Roosevelt’ primary school from 12 to 22 August.
With their smiles and innocence, they bring a message of light and hope for a future of peaceful coexistence amongst peoples. This, in a nutshell, is the cherished dream of the “ten young ambassadors of peace” from the Sahrawi people of Western Sahara, who have been fighting for decades for their freedom and their right to self-determination, and who were welcomed yesterday afternoon by the Castelfiorentino Town Council as part of the hospitality project organised annually by the “Hurria” association.
Representatives of the associations and local councillors had been invited to the evening event
The Sahrawi children (5 girls and 5 boys, plus two chaperones) will be staying in Castelfiorentino from 12 to 22 August, and, as in previous years, will be accommodated at the ‘Roosevelt’ primary school, which has been transformed for the occasion into a sort of ‘base camp’ from which they will be able to take part in a range of activities, ranging from health checks and treatment (visits to the dentist and ENT specialist, diagnostic tests, etc.) to games and opportunities to socialise with other children from Castelfiorentino.
The programme also includes a number of ‘day trips’ outside the town, thanks to the minibus kindly provided by the Empoli and Castelfiorentino Public Assistance organisations. These include a day at the seaside (many of these children have never seen the sea, having lived in the heart of the desert), at the swimming pool, or out in the surrounding countryside (meadows, hills, woods), where they can relax and appreciate what we now take almost for granted.
The Sahrawis arrived in Tuscany on 4 July, and the reception programme coordinated by the Hurria association also includes stays in the municipalities of Fucecchio, Gambassi Terme, Certaldo and Campi Bisenzio.
Also in Castelfiorentino (Roosevelt Park), a big farewell party is planned for Wednesday 19 August, to which all residents (not just those of Castelfiorentino) are invited to attend
“We are delighted,” say Mayor Francesca Giannì and Councillor Marta Longaresi, who is responsible for Peace and Cooperation, “to be hosting the Sahrawi children again this year, as part of a project whose origins date back to 1993 and which has continued uninterrupted thanks to the commitment of the Hurria association and its president, Andrea Mezzetti. It is an honour for Castelfiorentino to play its part in supporting a peaceful resolution to this conflict, as well as to offer moments of happiness and light-heartedness to these children, who need healthcare, friendship and positive opportunities for distraction, recreation and fun.”
“There are many reflections we can make as the association hosting the group of Young Sahrawi Ambassadors of Peace,” notes Andrea Mezzetti, president of the Hurria association, “ranging from the realisation that we have contributed to the first major health screening, to having carried out vaccinations (as a follow-up to those already administered), but also from having been able to show them the sea and let them experience it, the woods and, above all, having shown friendship and human support. Every child will return home having shaken no fewer than 100 hands and received just as many hugs. These will be passed on to their families and their people. They symbolise support for those who have suffered injustice, and a commitment to keeping the dialogue open. This hosting project speaks of peace at a time fraught with conflict. We are aware that events which seem to take place far away from us affect us too, and that injustices perpetuated over decades take a deep toll on communities. In our own small way – as associations, civil society and local authorities – we try to take an interest and show our support.”
