The Monegasque Red Cross and AMADE Mondiale are pleased to announce the opening of a mother-child centre on the ‘Campo Roya’, the Ventimiglia migrant reception camp. Every day, several hundred people in transit are received, fed, housed and treated after an often difficult journey. For young children accompanied by their parents, or minors without families, this long journey can be traumatic, especially because moments of play and relaxation are rare.
This project consists of a space entirely dedicated to children, where they have access to fun and recreational activities in the Ventimiglia migrant camp. “They will find a place dedicated to creativity and learning, where different workshops, games and various activities, adapted for children, will be held. The area will also be equipped with a junior library and a toy library,” explained Corinne Clerc, in charge of the Monegasque Red Cross’ work with migrants in Ventimiglia, who has been working on this project with a special team for several months.
The Campo Roya, equipped with this new structure, will also be able to host mothers so they can be with their children in peace. Mothers will also have the opportunity to take a break from their children through “alternating custody” so they can have time to care for themselves, do laundry or other tasks.
This project is the result of a partnership between AMADE Mondiale in its commitment to unaccompanied minors in connection with Terre des Hommes Italy, and the Monegasque Red Cross, which made this space as child-friendly as possible, with the unwavering support of Italian Red Cross staff working on the camp every day.
The volunteers will be able to propose various activities according the child’s interests. The Monegasque Red Cross team have already been very active on the camp, working to help the camp accomplish its recent achievements. Activities like musical workshops, storytelling, puppetry, drawing or crafts will bring this new childhood-focused hospitality centre to life.
