News & Events
Holiday report of Menevia Central Council Ozanam Centre holiday - 11th August 2008 - 15th August 2008
The Families...
FAMILY NO.1
The first family were from Swansea. Mum, a single parent, had suffered a stroke and was now disabled. There were four children altogether - two girls and two boys. One of the girls and both boys had behavioural problems, the boys suffered from ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder). This didn't get in the way of things and and they enjoy the holiday very much and greatly benefited from it.
FAMILY NO. 2
The next family were also from Swansea - in fact the Mum of this family was a sister to the previous family's Mum! There were two children here, a boy of 10 and a little girl of about 3. The little girl was partially sighted and was deaf. Because of her disabilities she would sometimes have very bad tantrums and Mum looked and was really exhausted. The young girl was initially being restrained from joining in all the activities by Mum which would then result in her having terrible screaming bouts, when eventually she was allowed to join in everything she was really happy and no trouble at all. She went go-karting, bowling with help, went on the pony and trap, which she really enjoyed, and played generally with the children. She joined in the dancing and singing with the other children and she had a wonderful holiday. Mum could not thank me enough for making this holiday possible and I think they all benefited from it and it certainly made my day to see them all, the little girl especially, enjoying life. I think Mum realised that her tantrums were partly caused by frustration at not being allowed to join in.
FAMILY NO.3.
This family, again from Swansea, was a single parent with one little boy. Mum works extremely hard for the SVP and in fact was a member of the holiday committee. Mum does a lot of good work and we thought she would benefit from the break, as indeed did her son. The little boy really had a wonderful holiday and joined in all of the activities and Mum, although on holiday, helped out with the children.
FAMILY NO. 4.
Another family from Swansea - Mum, Dad and three children made up of two girls and one little boy. They had not had a holiday in years and were extremely grateful for the opportunity of having a holiday. They all had a wonderful time and again could not show their appreciation enough.
FAMILY NO.5.
Another single Mum and three children. Mum works extremely hard for her children and was extremely gratefully for the opportunity of the holiday. One child has ADHD but again, he mixed well with the children and was not too problematic. They could not get over the beauty of North Wales and the activities that were provided for them.
FAMILY NO. 6.
A single Mum with three boys, all with behavioural problems. They eventually settled down and enjoyed the activities that were available for them. They enjoyed the holiday and I think benefited from it and a little bit of discipline!
FAMILY NO. 7.
A s ingle Mum and one son. Mum and son are asylum seekers from the Congo and Mum has suffered very badly at the hands of the soldiers of the Congo, which included seeing her parents murdered. She is a very nice young girl with a very well mannered little boy but is constantly living in fear of being sent back to the Congo. In our parish we have worked very hard to keep her in this country. On two occasions she has been taken from her home to London but we have pulled out all the stops and managed to bring her back and we are all praying that she will be granted permission to stay in this country. Mum and son certainly benefited from this holiday and, for five days at least, Mum did not have the fear of someone knocking on her door to take her away again.
FAMILY NO. 8.
Mum, Dad and one little girl. Mum has slight learning difficulties. They are a very nice family and Dad was a real laugh and helped with the children and his happiness certainly shone through. Everyone without exception liked Dad who again was very grateful for the opportunity of a holiday.I am sure all three of them benefitted from the holiday.
FAMILY NO.9.
Mum, Dad and three little girls. This family originally came from Angola as asylum seekers but have now been granted permission to stay in this country. While they were in Angola they suffered greatly at the hands of the regime out there, which is why they fled to this country. They are a very nice family, well liked and well mannered. One of the girls, who was born in this country, has only recently had a heart operation but thankfully she is now fully recovered. The children and Mum and Dad thoroughly enjoyed the holiday and again were very very appreciative of being asked.
Holiday activities 
This year we had a lot of younger children on the holiday but everyone mixed extremely well. The older children did help with the younger children by arranging dancing and outdoor activities such as basketball, trampoline, football, and general games children play. All families got on very well with one and other. I think this year the families were all on the same level both socially intellectually but we seemed to have more children with behavioural problems, although quite unintentionally the children that were better behaved seemed to be setting an example.
Steve and his wife Jacqui made us feel very welcome and endeavoured to make sure everyone had a happy time. We were very fortunate to have dry weather; we even managed to have some sunshine.
Day 1: We all went to the Theme Park, which all the children enjoyed, and the Mums and Dads.
Day 2: We went to Plas y Brennin where the children went go-karting and ten pin bowling and everyone had a most enjoyable time.
Day 3: In the morning the children had the opportunity to go horse riding with the very little ones going on the pony and trap. This went down a treat and even some of the Mums and Dads went horse riding. Needless to say everyone enjoyed this. Lunchtime we went to Llandudno where they played on the beach, went on the rides on the pier and did some general shopping and souvenior shopping and the bonus was we were blessed with a warm sunny day and we all enjoyed ourselves.
Day 4: Journey home, one little boy was crying because he did not want to leave Steve and everyone was sad to go. We had a safe and uneventful journey home and it was definitely a holiday worth organising. I know it did me good to see the children enjoying themselves especially little Evie.
Maureen Price
Central President Menevia