Por Redaccion 
The Ministry of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families, and Equality, through the Andalusian Women’s Institute (IAM), has organized more than 40 activities for the daughters and sons who live with their mothers in shelters for victims of gender-based violence in Andalusia. This edition of the Vacationers program, which takes place from July 1 to September 7, includes leisure, cultural, sports, and educational activities with the aim of promoting a fun and violence-free vacation.
The Vacationers program is based on education in values of equality, respect, and empathy to achieve in the individuals being sheltered a correct expression of emotions, conflict resolution, respect for diversity, reinforcement of self-esteem, and increased autonomy after experiencing violence. This program is of particular importance for the child and youth population being sheltered, as it is a space to create, have fun, learn, share, and get to know their new city. The activities are carried out by a multidisciplinary team, where monitors play a fundamental role.
The Minister of Social Inclusion, Youth, Families, and Equality, Loles López, has pointed out that «this program is part of the recovery process for the minors being sheltered from the aftermath of the traumatic experiences they have had to endure.» In this regard, she emphasized that «the goal is to facilitate their return to normality as quickly as possible, and that involves having normalized vacations, full of games, laughter, and fun.»
López recalled that this program is carried out during the holiday periods of Christmas, Easter, and summer throughout the comprehensive network of care and shelter for victims of gender-based violence in Andalusia. She also emphasized that in «the shelters, which consist of emergency centers, shelters, and supervised apartments, comprehensive care is provided including psychological, sociolaboral, and legal counseling to contribute to the recovery of victims of gender-based violence.»
More than 40 scheduled performances
The more than 40 scheduled performances this summer are divided into four groups: creative, educational, sports/cooperative, and recreational. The creative activities offer the possibility to delve into the understanding of reality, exploring it, learning to express oneself, especially through music workshops, a mini-chefs school, or creating summer murals. Puppet-making and theatrical performances are also part of the activities.
In the educational block, learning and the development of feelings expression are promoted with reading animation as the central focus. There are book clubs, school support workshops, science workshops, English, and new technologies, among others.
Regarding sports and cooperative performances, the aim is to enhance psychomotor development, as well as develop cooperative attitudes, promoting the real and equal participation of all participants. Water games, excursions to natural spaces, dance workshops, yoga, and kite-making stand out in this section.
Finally, recreational initiatives provide opportunities for families to have fun while promoting knowledge of the new place of residence, the appreciation of cultural heritage, and its connection to the city’s history. These joint outings foster the relationship between mothers and children. Trips to the beach, cultural visits, outdoor cinema, or themed parties are some of the planned activities.