Poland, Slovakia, Ukraine, Italy... are just some of the countries that, since last June, have been organising summer camps for children displaced and refugees due to the war in Ukraine. The attention that since the end of February last year has been given to the population forced to flee the conflict finds its maximum expression in the summer months, when everyone is committed is to promoting children's activity: “Summer is the only opportunity to take a break, not only with respect to school, but also and above all from the anxiety and danger that children left in Ukraine experience daily,” explain the Salesians who are active in that country.
The Salesian Vsesvit school in Zhytomyr, for example, organised two summer camps this summer in June and July. Divided into two shifts of 12 days each: one took place in the same Ukrainian school, welcoming 240 boys and girls; and the other in the Italian city of Cervia, in Romagna, chosen for its characteristics of leisure, culture, accommodation and affordable prices, which 140 children are enjoying.
Salesian summer camps are not improvised: they are prepared for months, are run by leaders and volunteers at Salesian youth centres and are made possible thanks to global Salesian solidarity. The aid that continues to be sent both to Ukraine and to neighbouring countries responds to the goals of assisting the refugee and displaced population, preparing and repairing schools for the new school year and planning a new winter campaign.
Another summer camp is underway in Slovakia for 150 Ukrainian children, divided into four shifts, to further promote their integration into the Slovak social fabric and that of their families. Through these activities children, in many cases accompanied by their mothers, carry out leisure activities and non-formal education, and learn the language.
The summer camps have a complete program that includes recreational, educational, artistic and sports activities and workshops, both in Salesian structures, and in direct contact with nature, and in any case always in safe environments. “The goal is first and foremost to make them forget the war, make them make friends, develop their talents and enjoy who they are: boys and girls,” effectively summarises a Salesian stationed in Lviv.
For their part, the Sons of Don Bosco in Zhytomyr, emphasise that by organising these summer camps, “we realise our Salesian mission of supporting young people in their personal growth and preparation for adult life, especially in dramatic conditions such as those of the conflict suffered by the Ukrainian population.”
Misiones Salesianas, the Salesian Mission Office based in Madrid, financially supports this summer's four Salesian camps with various shifts in Bratislava (Slovakia), Cervia (Italy), Zhytomyr and Lviv (Ukraine), which benefit a total of 650 Ukrainian minors, displaced or refugees.
