The FICA project – Inclusive Holidays for the Algarve Community will arrive in Aljezur this summer, from June 24th to August 9th, but for that it is necessary to find a coordinator and three or four assistants.
Maria Nobre de Carvalho, leader of the Teia d'Impulsos association, which promotes the FICA project in Portimão and now also in Aljezur, told the Sul Informação that “the idea is that these ten kids with disabilities follow the normal vacation program organized by the City Council of Aljezur (with minor modifications, when necessary) – and that has already been defined. Now we just need support in the field, with a coordinator and assistants».
'We need a field coordinator, preferably a person trained in health or occupational therapy, but the most important thing is that you are used to working with people with disabilities.. The program is all set on our side and will have the support of our team and our occupational therapist, so we need someone to coordinate in the field for the six weeks. We paid 1500 euros for six weeks of work, plus food and travel. We also need three or four assistants, who act as monitors, to assist with the kids' feeding and hygiene. It's a tough job, from 9 am to 17:30 pm. We paid 900 euros for the six weeks, plus travel and food».
The City Council of Aljezur “organizes the holidays for the kids at school and has the program already organized. This year, the local authority also wants to include the 10 kids with disabilities in normal holiday activities and they asked us to take over this, with FICA», added Maria Nobre de Carvalho.
FICA started last summer, with 16 young people with multiple disabilities from Portimão. Over two intense months, the group was able to dance, do yoga and meditation, try pottery, make candles, go to the hairdresser, walk in the catwalks, visiting the Pedagogical Farm, cooking, making plastic, psychomotor and dramatic expression.
«They took vacations, some for the first time in many years, and so did their caregivers», summarized Cândida Pereira, from the Teia d'Impulsos association. Now, FICA will also reach Aljezur…but for that, it is necessary to find the right people to guarantee the work in the field.
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