Sahrawi refugee children collective enjoy unique experience at Mestalla

A group of Sahrawi refugee children, aged between 8 and 13 years old, had an unforgettable experience at Mestalla this past weekend in an initiative organised by Valencia CF and the VCF Foundation. A selection of the children being hosted by families in Valencia and other surrounding towns this summer, through the Al-Adala Association scheme, paid a visit to the stadium and watched the bwin Trofeo Naranja.

They were first given an educational tour of Mestalla, along with the club mascot, to learn about the history of Valencia CF. The Copa del Rey was the centrepiece for photos with the children, and they were also shown the dressing rooms and other areas of the stadium. It was then that they were informed that they would return to Mestalla for the presentation game, held against Internazionale.

The children are big football fans, and in their refugee camps they had improvised games with bundles of clothes, bottles or deflated footballs. At Mestalla they were able to see Valencia CF in action, and were given scarves and shirts as souvenirs by the VCF Foundation.

Through the Al-Adala Association, the children are spending the summer in Valencia and enjoying aspects of life that many in Europe take for granted, such as riding bikes, walking by the sea, showering with clean water, medical attention and dental care.

Associations that attended the bwin Trofeo Naranja

Also attending the bwin Trofeo Naranja as guests of the VCF Foundation were members of entities such as the Escoles COR Blanquinegre, the Valencian AIDS Prevention Committee, Más De Dos, Casa Ronald McDonald Valencia, the Valencian Fragile X Syndrome Association, the Serranos Villar del Arzobispo occupational centre, Discapacitados Villar del Arzobispo and representatives of the Luis Amigó de Villar del Arzobispo Centre.