QF Focus Magazine Pat Focuses On Charities
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at the charities you support, and more importantly what happens to the money you donate? Well we are about to find out!
As I drove through the entrance gates, I was surprised at the very large garden area being as this was in the middle of Elche! In one corner, the children have been working hard to make a vegetable garden, growing a variety of foods, which is part of the ongoing project for the gardens, along with a planned sitting and eating area. There is also a splash pool which was kindly donated for the children to use. The building is home to 18 children aged 13 to 18 years and is run by the Director, Mohammed, who is paid by a foundation, along with maintenance staff, cooks, cleaners, nurses and 24 hour a day carers. The foundation also contributes towards the food and utility bills. This means that all money raised by the charity gets used for the children. Iceland in La Marina also contribute food on a regular basis and they also have a trolley in store for customers to donate food items. The children are in the home for a variety of reasons and although some of them go out to local schools during the day, others are tutored on the premises. When the children reach 18 years of age, they can either go back to their families if that is possible,
Elche Children’s Home
maybe with the help of social workers, or they can go to Caritas in Elche who have apartments which they can share with other people. Psychologists and Social Workers liaise with the schools as well as with the families. Although they can no longer live at the home past the age of 18, they are allowed to visit which it seems a lot of them do. It costs 160€+IVA per day to look after each child, and with 18 growing teenagers who need a constant supply of toothpaste, shower gel, shampoo, deodorant, razors school books, the list is endless, you can understand why fund raising is so important to them. The charity helps to pay for these items plus the occasional day trip and treats. The children realise that items are very generously donated by supporters of the charity and they really appreciate how much help and support they get. The home is very well run, it is spotlessly clean and has a really friendly atmosphere. The staff were very welcoming and were more than happy to chat and show me around, which was excellent for my Spanish! The only disappointment of the day was when the cook told me it wasn’t ´Tortilla´ day so I missed out on what I was told was the best Tortilla you will ever eat!!
If you would like to donate or raise funds for the charity, please visit the website
elchechildrenscarehome.webs.com. If you would like me to visit your charity please contact me via the QF Focus office. The contact details are on page 4.
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