Lanzarote has once again welcomed a group of Sahrawi children taking part in the long-running “Vacaciones en Paz” (Holidays in Peace) programme, which gives children from the Sahrawi refugee camps in Algeria the opportunity to spend the summer with host families on the island.
The official welcome was led by Cabildo President Oswaldo Betancort, who thanked the Lanzarote families who continue to support the initiative. He described the programme as a source of pride for the island, highlighting more than three decades of solidarity and hospitality shown by local residents.
This year, six children are participating in the programme. Three of them are spending their final summer in Lanzarote before reaching the programme’s age limit, creating opportunities for new children to take part in future editions.
Councillor for Social Welfare and Inclusion Marci Acuña reaffirmed the Cabildo’s commitment to supporting the initiative, noting that the programme offers children a welcome break from the extreme summer conditions in the Algerian desert, where temperatures can exceed 50°C.
Representing the Sahrawi Delegation for the Canary Islands, Alisalem Sidi Zein praised Lanzarote’s longstanding support for the Sahrawi people. He also suggested establishing a permanent branch of the Sahrawi Delegation on the island to help improve access to assistance and services.
Breica Cori Habadi, president of the Sahrawi Association in Lanzarote, thanked the host families for their continued generosity and assured them that the association remains available to provide support throughout the children’s stay.
Host family coordinator Yurena Pérez Betancort also expressed her appreciation to the Cabildo, partner organisations and local businesses that help cover the cost of activities. As the children are not Canary Islands residents, they are not eligible for discounted admission prices at many attractions, increasing the overall cost for host families.
She encouraged more families to take part in future editions, explaining that applications to host a child typically open in January and close in March, ahead of the summer programme.
One of the most emotional moments of the welcome ceremony came when Dr Mohamed Salem, a former participant in “Vacaciones en Paz”, shared his own story. Having once travelled to Spain through the programme as a child, he has since gone on to become a doctor.
During their stay in Lanzarote, the six children (five boys and one girl) will take part in a range of cultural and sporting activities with their host families, including visits to attractions such as Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park and AquaLava Water Park. The programme also places a strong focus on healthcare, providing participants with medical, dental and eye examinations while offering them the chance to further develop their Spanish language skills during their time on the island.
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