SPAIN: Students design games for children with cancer
Salesian students collaborate to support pediatric oncology department patients
SPAIN
(MissionNewswire) Graphic design students from the Salesian Institute in Pamplona, Spain, and the Don Bosco Center in Marseilles, France, collaborated on the “Printing Smiles” project. Together, they presented the project to the public and highlighted its impact of providing games and recreational material for children at the Navarre Hospital Complex’s pediatric oncology department.
The project is part of the Erasmus+ program, the European Union’s program to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. The nine Salesian students and two teachers from France arrived in Pamplona on Jan. 22 to collaborate with the Salesian Institute’s students and staff on the project. The project will be completed in April, and at that time, the students from Spain will visit the Don Bosco Center in France.
The project includes 3D printing of games and play material for young cancer patients. The project also educates and provides hands-on experience for the graphic design students.
The presentation of the project was attended by representatives of the Government of Navarre, the Association for the Support of Children with Tumors in Navarre (ADANO in Spanish), and the oncological-pediatric department of the Navarre Hospital Complex.
A Salesian said, “The Salesian Institute in Pamplona sought the collaboration of ADANO to raise the students’ awareness of the plights of these young children. The project was building bridges between cultures and making a positive contribution to society. The Salesians in Pamplona and the participants at the Don Bosco Center in Marseilles have been enthusiastic about this exchange. It will not only promote the development of their technical skills but will also strengthen the values of empathy and service to the community.”
In addition to the project work, French students were able to fully immerse themselves in the culture of the region, participating in various activities while hosted by local families.
Guadalupe, one of the students, said “Our challenge was clear from the outset — to create educational and recreational material for a good cause. This motivated us a lot, and I have to say that we did not waste any time at all. Indeed, we were pleased to see how the regional media were also interested in our initiative.”
Salesian missionaries have been working for many years to provide educational and workforce development opportunities for poor youth and women in Spain through residential, technical, and vocational training programs.
Close to 32% of young Spanish workers under the age of 25 are unemployed and a growing number of them can’t afford to buy enough food to live. Poor youth with few employable skills struggle the most to find and retain stable employment. Women in Spain face inequality in the workforce. They earn up to 14% less than men and represent only 34.5% of those listed as the highest earners in Spain.
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Sources:
ANS Photo (usage permissions and guidelines must be requested from ANS)
Salesian Missions – Spain
World Bank – Spain
