Saharawi Children Arrive in Gran Canaria for Summer Programme
Forty-one Saharawi children, aged 10 to 12, have arrived in Gran Canaria to spend the next two months with host families, thanks to the “Vacaciones en Paz” (Holidays in Peace) initiative. This programme allows children from the Tinduf refugee camps in Algeria to escape the harsh desert conditions during summer, providing them with medical check-ups and a balanced diet.
Antonio Morales, President of the Gran Canaria Cabildo, welcomed the children and their host families at an event that also included Carmelo Ramírez, the regional Minister for International Solidarity, as well as representatives from the Polisario Front and the Canary Association of Solidarity with the Saharawi People.
Morales expressed gratitude to the host families, emphasising that their commitment makes such a programme possible and fosters enduring bonds of affection between the Canary and Saharawi communities. He shared his own experience of hosting a child, highlighting how such stays help create lasting relationships.
The “Vacaciones en Paz” programme has been operating nationally since 1979 and will welcome around 2,800 Saharawi children to Spain this year, with support from the Cabildo and the Canary Association of Solidarity with the Saharawi People.
During their stay, the children will receive essential medical care and enjoy a more varied diet, which contrasts sharply with life in Tinduf, where temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius and access to water and healthcare is limited. The programme also supports their Spanish language skills and strengthens social ties built over decades.
Ramírez praised the generosity of host families and the long-term efforts of the solidarity association. He reiterated the Cabildo’s commitment to the Saharawi people, highlighting the importance of their struggle for independence and the release of political prisoners held unjustly in Moroccan jails, including sociologist and activist Ahmed Asfari.
Alisalem Sidi Zein, the Polisario representative in the Canaries, thanked the local community for their ongoing support and urged human rights defenders to advocate for the release of Saharawi political prisoners.
Octavio Melián, President of the Canary Association of Solidarity with the Saharawi People, acknowledged the Cabildo’s contributions and encouraged continued public involvement in the Saharawi cause. He also announced a rally scheduled for Saturday at 5 PM in Plaza del Sáulo Torón, urging participation in efforts to free political prisoners.
