CIV students give cheque to Associação de Equitação para Deficientes no Algarve

Respecting others, being sensitive to differences and being supportive are some of the values ??that CIV, as a school of international education, tries to stimulate in its students right from the start.

Year 6 students recently visited the Pinetrees Riding Centre, where the Associação de Equitação para os Deficientes do Algarve (AEDA) works with 28 children from various parts of the Algarve.

The children have riding lessons which are adapted to help overcome their difficulties. They are accompanied by therapists who help to motivate the young riders to achieve a set of challenges along the way to their rehabilitation

A little victory can evoke a sense of great joy! Some of the more experienced "athletes" participate in the Quelfes games or in the Mini-Olímpicos, that are held at the equestrian centre in May.

Throughout the visit, students listened to stories of children who improved with the help of the centre. The owner, Beverley Gibbons, and some long-term volunteers spoke about the successes after many years of therapy with horses, where children began to talk or walk, or were finally able to respond to a challenge. Horses, as well as dolphins, donkeys and dogs have shown to be a valuable to people with cerebral palsy, degenerative diseases, autism or Down Syndrome.

In total 550 euros was collected on the day that CIV celebrated Red Nose Day. The money was raised though sales of games and red food, and will enable two children to receive therapy throughout the year at Pinetrees Riding Centre.