[:en]Solidarity through sports and education[:it]Solidarietà attraverso lo sport e l’educazione[:el]Αλληλεγγύη μέσω του αθλητισμού και της εκπαίδευσης[:]

[:en]Mixed feelings of enthusiasm and fear prevailed the team of WE AfriHug, while it was ready to travel to Western Sahara. After ending the activities in Ghana, the team headed to Madrid for joining the Sahara Marathon Delegation.

The destination was the Saharawi refugee camps of Western Sahara, where around 160.000 Saharawi refugees live in the desert. The refugee camps are located about one hour from the city of Tindouf, Algeria, close to the Moroccan and Mauritanian borders.

WE AfriHug team travelled to this special destination having three objectives. First, to achieve the sports milestone of Sahara Marathon, running in the desert for 42 km and gaining the experience of this extraordinary and unique marathon. Secondly, to spend a special week with the Saharawi families who hosted us and get knowledge and understanding of the 42-year-long conflict, their way of living and culture. Thirdly, to empower and train young refugees through non-formal education, targeting the improvement of the 21st Century Skills.

“42 kilometers of our effort, for 42 years of your resistance”. By promoting this motto for year 2018, the Sahara Marathon organizers are demonstrating the solidarity, promoting the sports and raising the awareness about a 42-year-long conflict. The Sahara Marathon is not just a race but is an international sports event. 42 years of suffering for a population affected by a conflict that is burying their hopes, generation after generation. 18 years of Sahara Marathon, and 42 years of exile for the Saharawi people.

Finally, WE AfriHug team proudly announces the successful accomplishment of the challenging sports milestones. After climbing to the top of Africa, the mount Kilimanjaro, WE AfriHug successfully accomplished the sports milestone of running the Sahara Marathon. Konstantinos Maragkos and Demetris Christodoulou ran the 42.195 km and Marilena Maragkou the 10 km. It was the first time for Greece and Cyprus to be represented in this marathon since its first edition, in 2001. In total 500 participants from 23 countries participated in the marathon, the half marathon, the 10 and 5 km races. The route of the marathon symbolically connected the three refugee camps of Smara, Auserd and El Ayoun, and leaded the runners through the desert which has been the home of refugees for 42 years.

How beautiful and powerful is to spend 1 week and interact with a Saharawi family, living like them, eating like them, even dressing like them. The life in the refugee camps, as we indicated in the small period of 1 week, is quiet and peaceful, based on their unique and strong culture and influenced by their beliefs and their geographical location. The family that hosted the team is composed by 6 members. All of them were very friendly and more than enough protective and caring. The team had the chance to familiarise and interact with them, understanding the principles and the routes of their culture.

Thanks to the support of the members of the “Global Western Sahara Ambassador Programme”, in which alumni of the Erasmus Mundus European Master in Tourism Management are working, WE AfriHug team arranged a 2-day Non-formal Education Training Seminar with 15 Saharawi students of “17 June Intermediate school”. During the first day, the activities “Shield power” and “The Hidden Path” took place, while the students being open and adaptable participated actively, embracing Non-formal Education, even if it was their first approach to this new learning process. During the second and last day of the Training Seminar, the students gave their best and participated in the activities “The Front Page” and “The Battle of Orange”. Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Social and Cultural were the key skills to be developed through the activities. In the end, the students got their certificates of participation, shared their thoughts and evaluated the training. The next day, WE AfriHug team met again the students, in order to conduct interviews and understand better their opinion and experience but also to create an artistic video!

After living together with the Saharawi for a week, participating in the Solidarity Sahara Marathon, running 42 kilometres in the desert and empowering Youth through Non-Formal Education, the team completed its actions in the Refugee camps of Western Sahara. It was a very special journey, an experience that everyone should live, getting a strong understanding of the life there. Thanks to the Sahara Marathon the team had the chance to experience the Saharawi way of life, combining sports with solidarity.

 [:it]Sentimenti di entusiasmo e paura hanno prevalso sul team WE AfriHug mentre si preparava per il viaggio verso il Western Sahara. Dopo aver terminato le attività in Ghana, la squadra è arrivata fino a Madrid prima di poter raggiungere la Sahara Marathon Delegation.

La destinazione finale era il campo rifugiati del Saharawi nel Western Sahara dove abitano circa 160.000 rifugiati nel deserto. Il campo è situato a circa un’ora da Tindouf, Algeria, vicino ai confini con Marocco e Mauritania.

Il team di WE AfriHug ha scelto questa destinazione molto particolare per realizzare tre obiettivi importanti. Innanzitutto la sfida sportiva, la Maratona del Sahara, correre nel Sahara per 42km e fare tesoro di un’esperienza così unica. Secondariamente, passare una settimana con le famiglie del Saharawi per capire meglio il conflitto che da 42 anni attanaglia tutta l’area, comprendere meglio il loro stile di vita e cultura. Infine, incontrare i giovani che vivono li attraverso una sessione di formazione  di 3 giorni sulle Skills del 21esimo secolo.

“42 kilometers of our effort, for 42 years of your resistance” è il motto per l’anno 2018 della maratona del Sahara. Così gli organizzatori hanno scelto di promuovere e sensibilizzare attraverso lo sport un conflitto lungo 42 anni. Questa maratona infatti non è solo una gara, ma un evento sportivo internazionale. 42 anni di sofferenza di un popolo stanno minando la fiducia e la speranza generazione dopo generazione. 18 anni di Maratona Solidale, e 42 anni di esilio per il popolo del Saharawi

Finalmente il team WE AfriHug può annunciare la realizzazione della sfida con grande successo. Dopo aver scalato la cime dell’Africa, il Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, questa era la seconda sfida. Konstantinos Maragkos e Demetris Christodoulou hanno corso per 42.195 km mentre Marilena Maragkou la mezza maratona da 10km. Per la prima volta la Grecia e Cipro hanno avuto una rappresentanza in questa maratona iniziata nel 2001. In totale 500 persone hanno partecipato alla maratona, mezza maratona e la 5km. Il tragitto collega simbolicamente i tre campi di Smara, Auserd and El Ayoun, e conduce i partecipanti attraverso il deserto dritto nelle case di chi vive qui.

Una settimana di intensa condivisione è stata potente e istruttiva, vivendo con loro, mangiando come loro, persino vestendosi come loro. La vita per una settimana nel campo profughi è stata pacifica e tranquilla, incentrata sulla loro cultura unica e potente, fedeli ai loro principi e legati alla loro posizione geografia. La famiglia che ha ospitato WE AfriHug è composta da 6 persone. Ognuno di loro è stato estremamente accogliente ma anche protettivo verso gli ospiti. La squadra ha avuto la possibilità di familiarizzare e interagire, comprendendo meglio la loro cultura.

Grazie al supporto dei membri del “Global Western Sahara Ambassador Programme”, nel quali alumni del programma Erasmus Mundus European Master in Turismo e Management stanno lavorando, il team WE AfriHug ha organizzato due giorni di seminario non-formale con 15 studenti della “17 June Intermediate School”. Durante la prima giornata le attività “lo Scudo” e “Percorso Cieco” sono state il primo passo verso l’educazione non-formale mai sentito prima di allora. Nel secondo ed ultimo giorno invece gli studenti hanno dato il loro meglio nelle attività “Front Page” e “Battle of Orange”. Comunicazione, Collaborazione, Pensiero Critico, e competenze sociali e culturali sono state sviluppate. alla fine gli studenti hanno ricevuto il loro attestato di partecipazione, condividendo i loro pensieri e dando dei feedback sul training. Il giorno seguente il team WE AfriHug ha incontrato ancora una volta gli studenti, ma stavolta per condurre delle interviste, capire e conservare le loro opinioni ed esperienze, e creare un bel video.

Dopo aver vissuto insieme ai Saharawi per una settimana, aver partecipato alla Maratona Solidale del Sahara, aver corso 42km e aver realizzato questo training di due giorni, la missione di WE AfriHug qui è conclusa. Un viaggio davvero speciale ed un’esperienze che tutti dovrebbero provare almeno una volta. Grazie alla Sahara Marathon il team ha avuto l’occasione di sperimentare un nuovo stile di vita, combinando lo sport con la soliarietà.

 [:el]Ανάμεικτα συναισθήματα ενθουσιασμού και φόβου κυρίευσαν τα μέλη της ομάδας του WE AfriHug, καθώς ετοιμαζόταν να ταξιδέψει στη Δυτική Σαχάρα. Έπειτα από την ολοκλήρωση των δραστηριοτήτων στη Γκάνα, η ομάδα ταξίδεψε στη Μαδρίτη, όπου συνάντησε την αποστολή για το μαραθώνιο στη Σαχάρα.

Ο επόμενος προορισμός της ομάδας του WE AfriHug μετά τη Γκάνα ήταν οι προσφυγικοί καταυλισμοί της Δυτικής Σαχάρας. Οι προσφυγικοί καταυλισμοί βρίσκονται μια ώρα μακριά από το Τιντούφ της Αλγερίας, κοντά στα σύνορα με Μαρόκο και Μαυριτανία, όπου 160.000 πρόσφυγες Saharawi ζουν στην έρημο.

Η ομάδα ταξίδεψε σε αυτό το ιδιαίτερο μέρος, με 3 στόχους. Αρχικά, να διεκπεραιώσουν την αθλητική δοκιμασία του μαραθωνίου, τρέχοντας 42 χιλιόμετρα στην έρημο ζώντας ταυτόχρονα μια μοναδική εμπειρία. Δευτερευόντως, να ζήσει μια ξεχωριστή εβδομάδα μαζί με οικογένειες Saharawi, οι οποίες μας φιλοξένησαν, και να αποκτήσει γνώση και να κατανόηση για τη διαμάχη 42 χρόνων και τρίτον να ενδυναμώσει νέους προσφυγές μέσω της εκπαίδευσης και πιο συγκεκριμένα να συνεισφέρει στην ανάπτυξη σημαντικών δεξιοτήτων για τον 21ο αιώνα.

Το σύνθημα του μαραθωνίου αυτής της χρονιάς ήταν “42 kilometers of our effort, for 42 years of your resistance”. Οι διοργανωτές του μαραθωνίου δείχνουν αλληλεγγύη, προωθώντας τον αθλητισμό και ενημερώνοντας για μια διαμάχη 42 χρόνων για ένα λαό, ο οποίος χάνει τις ελπίδες του στην έρημο. 18 χρόνια μαραθωνίου και 42 χρόνια εξορίας για τους Saharawi.

Τελικά, η ομάδα του WE AfriHug ανακοινώνει την επιτυχή ολοκλήρωση των αθλητικών δοκιμασιών. Μετά την ανάβαση στην κορυφή της Αφρικής, το όρος Κιλιμαντζάρο, η ομάδα εκπλήρωσε επιτυχώς και την αθλητική δοκιμασία του μαραθωνίου. Ο Κωνσταντίνος Μαραγκός και ο Δημήτρης Χριστοδούλου έτρεξαν 42.195 χιλιόμετρα και η Μαριλένα Μαραγκού τα 10. Ήταν η πρώτη φορά που Ελλάδα και Κύπρος εκπροσωπήθηκαν σε αυτό τον μαραθώνιο. 500 ακτιβιστές από 23 χώρες συμμετείχαν συνολικά στον μαραθώνιο, τον ημιμαραθώνιο και τους αγώνες των 10 και 5 χλμ. Β διαδρομή του μαραθωνίου συνέδεσε συμβολικά τρεις προσφυγικούς καταυλισμούς: Smara, Auserd και El Ayoun και οδήγησε τους δρομείς μέσω της ερήμου, η όποια αποτελεί σπίτι για τους πρόσφυγες για 42 χρόνια.

Πόσο όμορφο και δυναμικό είναι να περνάς μια εβδομάδα μαζί με μια οικογένεια Saharawi, να ζεις μαζί της, να τρως μαζί της και να ντύνεσαι με τις δικές τους παραδοσιακές ενδυμασίες. Η ζωή στους προσφυγικούς καταυλισμούς, όπως παρατηρήσαμε στο μικρό διάστημα της μιας εβδομάδας, είναι ήσυχη και ειρηνική, βασισμένη στη μοναδική και δυνατή κουλτούρα των Saharawi. Η οικογένεια που φιλοξένησε την ομάδα αποτελείται από 6 μέλη, τα οποία θερμά αγκάλιασαν και μύησαν τα μέλη στην κουλτούρα τους.

Η ομάδα του WE AfriHug σε συνεργασία με το πρόγραμμα “Global Western Sahara Ambassador” διοργάνωσε ένα διήμερο εκπαιδευτικό σεμινάριο μη-τυπικής μάθησης με 15 μαθητές Saharawi στο σχολείο “17 June Intermediate”. Κατά τη διάρκεια της πρώτης μέρας, οι δραστηριότητες “Shield power” και “The Hidden Path” πραγματοποιήθηκαν, ενώ οι μαθητές παρέμειναν ανοιχτοί και προσαρμόσιμοι συμμετέχοντας ενεργά και αγκαλιάζοντας τη μη-τυπική μάθηση, παρά το γεγονός πως ήταν η πρώτη τους επαφή με αυτή την εκπαιδευτική μέθοδο. Κατά τη διάρκεια της δεύτερης μέρας, οι μαθητές έδωσαν τον καλύτερο τους εαυτό και συμμετείχαν στις δραστηριότητες “The Front Page” και “The Battle of Orange”. Οι μαθητές ανέπτυξαν τις εξής δεξιότητες μέσω των δραστηριοτήτων: Επικοινωνία, Συνεργασία, Κριτική Σκέψη, Κοινωνικές και Διαπολιτισμικές δεξιότητες. Στο τέλος, οι μαθητές  παρέλαβαν πιστοποιητικό συμμετοχής και εξέφρασαν τη γνώμη τους για το πρόγραμμα μέσω συνεντεύξεων και αξιολόγησης.

Έπειτα από μια εβδομάδα με τους Saharawi, τη συμμετοχή στο μαραθώνιο της Σαχάρας τρέχοντας 42 χλμ στην έρημο και την εκπαίδευση και ενδυνάμωση των νέων, η ομάδα ολοκλήρωσε τις δράσεις της στους προσφυγικούς καταυλισμούς της Δυτικής Σαχάρας. Ήταν εάν πολύ ιδιαίτερο ταξίδι, το οποίο ο καθένας πρέπει να ζήσει, για να καταλάβει το πώς ζούνε οι πρόσφυγες εκεί.

 [:]