Inclusion, nature and fun. These are the three cornerstones that support the project promoted by the White Cross Public Assistance aimed at boys and girls with disabilities. An initiative capable of responding to the needs of the “La Girandola” socio-rehabilitative center thanks to the collaboration of the “Club dei Piccoli Rio Torto”.
On the morning of Saturday 27 April, the representatives of the three entities met in front of the White Cross headquarters to announce the official launch of an ambitious project awarded at a national level at the “Convers-Azioni” conference in Riccione. It is called “Knowing to know yourself and be known” and will allow the young people who attend the day center to experience outdoor activities together with the approximately 60 animals of the Rio Torto Children’s Club and the Anpas volunteers.
Outdoor activities for children with disabilities
“A dream come true – the comment of Marisa Monticelli, manager of the day centre. For some time we have felt the need to have outdoor spaces available and this project will allow all our children to relate to nature, animals and their peers who are involved in the world of volunteering”. “Inclusivity is at the center of an initiative that we care about particularly – underlines the provincial coordinator of Anpas Paolo Rebecchi -. The headquarters of the White Cross is open to all and this represents yet another piece of a broad vision of sharing and meeting”.
Thanks to the project, children with disabilities, divided into groups, will be hosted once a week in the company in the hills of Borgonovo, but not only. “We will also carry out activities within our headquarters – explains Beatrice Casella, representative of the youth group – to make known what we do”.
“Animals are psychologists at no cost”
One of the protagonists could not be missing from the presentation of the project: his name is Abel, an eight-year-old sheep who can’t wait to interact with the guests of the day centre. “With him there will also be goats, donkeys, cows and horses capable of giving emotion to anyone they meet” highlights Luigi Fiori, manager together with his son Yuri of the Rio Torto social farm. “These are zero-cost psychologists – continues Luigi Fiori -. It fills our hearts with joy to see the kids smile and have fun immersed in nature. For twenty years we have been involved in social agriculture, hosting disabled people and carrying out activities related to horticulture, baking and pet therapy laboratories”.
“It was a nice surprise and we thank Anpas and White Cross for taking us into consideration in a project of great human value – concludes Yuri -. Before the outbreak of the Covid pandemic, Abel entered retirement homes offering moments of serenity to the elderly. Now he is ready to make the days of those who come to visit us special. The agricultural world can offer so much, just think that when they ask us what we produce as a company through our animals, we reply that we produce emotions”.
