End of the school year: a call for solidarity

The school year is coming to an end and the holidays begin. This year Catalans will spend, on average, 1,203 euros. This money will be used to pay for summer camps, flights, hotels, restaurants and other activities. Even so, some children have neither school nor holidays, so, can we add a touch of solidarity to our holiday spending?

During the summer holidays, many families will spend large amounts of money on getaways, summer camps and recreational activities. According to data from a study carried out by the Cetelem Observatory, Catalans will spend, on average, 1,203 euros on summer holidays. Most of the people surveyed plan to spend their money eating out in restaurants (68.3%). They are followed by those who will spend it shopping (39.6%) or travelling (36%).

With the end of the school year, however, comes the added expense of looking after children until the adults’ holidays begin. Many families opt to sign them up for summer activities, such as summer camps. Therefore, a family with two children can easily spend an additional 1,000 euros. According to the association Educació 360, taking children to campus involves an average weekly cost of 77 euros, while if you opt for summer camps, the figure rises to 354 euros per week.

In this context, perhaps we should all make a reflection: while we spend this money to have a good time or to improve our children’s education, why not allocate a small part of our budget to help children who are not lucky enough to enjoy these same opportunities and privileges? Can we afford it? Can we afford not to?

How do I go about it? It’s time to roll up our sleeves

The summer solstice marks the transition from spring to summer, but it also represents a moment of rebalancing, of new beginnings. At 11Onze Rolls Up its Sleeves, in collaboration with Better Shelter, we have made this feeling our own by launching an initiative to give a new start to the children affected by the earthquakes in Syria.

We want to do our bit to build 50 shelter schools that can help provide safe spaces and education for 1,750 children affected by the refugee crisis. This is an opportunity to share our wealth and make a positive impact on the lives of those in need of support and hope.

Every donation, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the lives of these children, helping to provide safe spaces for recreational and educational activities. We don’t want you to stop taking the kids to summer camps, holidays, restaurants or shopping, but for the price of sun cream and a beach towel, you can give hope. Will you roll up your sleeves with us?

11Onze Rolls Up its Sleeves is 11Onze’s service to help people all over the world.