The Sagunto Adventist Campus (CAS) has been hosting volunteers from different security forces, for a few days now. They come from various parts of Spain to work in the areas devastated by the DANA.
In addition, CAS has offered itself as a reception centre for students who cannot attend their institutes affected by the catastrophe, following the guidelines given by the inspectors.
The director of CAS, Pastor Daniel Bosqued, said that "the request comes from the Ministry, which is trying to locate emergency personnel, from different places in Spain, who are coming to the Valencian community to help. The request reached CAS through Pastor Miguel Ángel Roig, who acts as a representative of the Adventist Church at the level of institutional or inter-confessional relations.
Volunteers, divers, firefighters, civil protection...
The following are coming to CAS to stay: divers, firefighters, local police, civil protection personnel from various places such as Barcelona, Navalcarnero, Huelva, etc. All of them, on a voluntary basis.
CAS gives them the facilities for free and, as Pastor Bosqued said: "For our part, we are happy to contribute a little to alleviate the suffering that is occurring in Valencia and, at the same time, we are amazed and grateful for such committed people who come from so far away to help."
CAS has provided them—in addition to rooms, showers, and bathrooms—a place where they can rest and be comfortable in their few free moments. The Ministry gives them dinner and CAS offers them breakfast and some lunch, free of charge, as a sign of gratitude and solidarity for the work they are doing.
The group of Barcelona city guards
These volunteer professionals take turns; when some leave, others arrive. Until recently, there were 24 divers and members of the fire brigade and, when they left, a group of Barcelona city guards arrived, who are helping with the tasks of clearing rubble, cleaning, and so on, in the municipalities most affected by the DANA. They are 17 volunteer police officers, who, taking days from their vacation, stay at CAS to be able to collaborate in the municipalities devastated by the DANA.
The Barcelona City Guard Corps is the Barcelona police, in the strictest sense, and the security body dependent on the local corporation of the Barcelona City Council and, therefore, the body that assumes the local policing responsibilities of this city.
Regarding the accommodation at CAS, the police added: “The treatment we are receiving here is wonderful; we have not lacked anything. Everyone is truly kind. For us, it has been a very good experience. It is hard to see what [we encounter in the places] where the DANA has passed and the situation of the people there. We have fellow volunteers, staying in closer areas, who cannot take a hot shower at the end of the day, but we, after seeing what is there, can be in a place of total disconnection and recharge our batteries for the next day. It is like a separate civilization; we feel privileged”.
CAS, a well-located and very supportive campus
CAS is located in Sagunto, a municipality near Valencia that was not affected by the DANA. It has two boarding schools, one for boys and one for girls, as well as housing for teachers and campus staff. Its facilities, with gardens, a football field, paddle tennis courts, and much more, make this educational campus one of the best in the the community of Valencia.
In further collaboration with those affected by thr DANA, CAS is preparing a "MerCASdillo de solidaridad" for Thursday, November 14, during which families will donate toys, books, cakes, and other items, and the money raised will be given to the Adventist NGO, ADRA Spain, to continue helping the victims of the DANA. What is not sold will be donated for distribution to the affected families and to the Christmas solidarity campaign for families with few economic resources.
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