The inclusive summer holidays (FICA), for children and young people with disabilities, promoted by the Teia D'Impulsos Association, in Portimão, have already come to an end and the balance is «extremely positive».
This year, the summer camp included 35 young people, between 6 and 25 years old, who at least for one week this summer “didn't stay at home” and were able to have “a week like so many other kids”.
Since the 31st of July, the FICA project – Inclusive Holidays for the Algarve Community has been taking place and, over seven consecutive weeks, there have been trips to the beach, swimming pool, paddle tennis and canoeing, adapted sailing, visits to water parks, painting afternoons and cooking, contact with animals at the city's Pedagogical Farm, gallop therapy, fitness, yoga, etc.
It was at Espaço Raiz, the headquarters of Teia D'Impulsos, that the closing party of another FICA project – Inclusive Holidays for the Algarve Community – took place this Thursday, September 14th.
Children and young people, their families, FICA monitors and representatives from the Municipality of Portimão, the Portimão Parish Council, the Eng. Nuno Mergulhão School Group (where the children spend part of their time) were present at the event. and Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Alvor (for meals), partners in this project.
Inês Reis, coordinator of FICA, began by recalling the importance of this project through which «we no longer have children who mostly spend their vacation time at home, to children who are happy living all these experiences».
In total, 35 young people had the “opportunity for at least a week to have a holiday like so many other children, regardless of their abilities and limitations”.
Luís Brito, president of Teia D'Impulsos, wanted to give special thanks to the Municipality of Portimão, without which FICA would be impossible to implement.
«The project is 99% financed by the City Council and has a very high cost. It is an investment that, in my opinion, is the best of all because it truly creates equality and opportunity for these young people».
«We must start, as a society, to have a different look and perspective on what integration, diversity and the difference between each of us are. In the end we all have the same rights.”
Councilor José Pedro Cardoso, representative of the Municipality of Portimão, praised the initiative, asking Teia D'Impulsos to «continue to have the courage to challenge us to carry out projects like these» as «it is an investment that has no value».
In his view, «FICA just has to come to stay and grow».
Teia D'Impulsos would also like to thank all the other partners who made all the activities possible: Alvor Parish Council, Monchique Municipality, Carby, André Mota Photographs and Video, Play Surf, Taho'e Canoe Club, Villa Prana, Terapia a Gallop, Mar Calmo, Type of Cyan, Aqualand and Slide & Splash.
Comments