Fundación Aladina

Testimonials:

When I was asked to write about what Barretstown had meant to me, I thought it would be easy, but when I sat down to write, I realised how difficult it was to express in words everything you live through there.

Barretstown means happiness, magic….; 10 days without having to worry about anything other than having a good time. You can do anything you put your mind to, and the only goals are those that you set yourself.

I think the opportunity that this Foundation gives to all teenagers to live this experience is fabulous, and would say to anyone who has the chance to go: don’t give it a second thought and make the most of it.

Testimonials:

For me, Barretstown has been the dream that every child imagines, but thinks they will never actually live, because there it comes true. No words can fully express what Barretstown really is: it’s incredible, marvellous, fascinating… my dream has already come true, and I would love it to do so again and again, because in just 10 days, you manage to disconnect from the rest of the world, and spend some unforgettable days there.

Leticia

Testimonials:

“My second experience in Barretstown has not been good neither incredible, nor great. It has been even more. I could write pages and pages, but I think that saying that it just gets better each time is enough. I really hope that by being as forthright as possible about the experience, I can help many other children enjoy it just as I have.”


Andrea B, 16 years old.

Testimonials:

Barretstown is a magical camp, located in a castle in Ireland, which welcomes children suffering from serious illnesses from all over Europe.
One of Barretstown’s most important sessions is the one dedicated to families, known as ‘Family Camp’. Families with a child suffering from cancer from all over Europe can spend 4 days together here to recover their hope and joy for life.
Lorena Puyoles, member of the Fundación Aladina, was lucky enough to be able to accompany 4 Spanish families on their trip to Ireland, to the magical world of Barretstown.
This Spring, I lived one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I spent 4 days of games, laughter, companionship, and friendship… in a magical place called Barretstown.
Any nerves I felt before arriving disappeared the moment I was welcomed by the camp’s team, who made me feel completely at home.
Workers and volunteers become a close team with the sole aim of ensuring that the families and childrens have an unforgettable stay. Many of them now form an integral part of my life, and I am sure they will continue do so for much time to come.
I would recommend this experience to everyone; it is difficult to describe the feelings you experience there, to see how both the children, as well as their families, overcome their difficulties and just enjoy the experience, forgetting all about their illness.
Everything in Barretstown is magical. Every moment, and every daily activity becomes a game, where we all turn into children again. Horse riding, rock climbing, fishing, archery, dancing, fancy dress, theatre shows… there’s no time to get bored.
Everything is carried out in an incomparable setting. The castle with its red door, the stables, the lake, the meadows, and my favourite place, the Secret Garden, with its fairy house.
It would be wonderful to have a place like this in Spain: I think that 4 days in the camp are are as effective as months of therapy, both for the parents as well as for the children.
Sharing such difficult moments with people who are going through the same as you, helps to overcome the stress, frustration and fear that is caused by the illness. On the other hand, us volunteers leave with the sensation that we have received even more than we have given: you learn to keep things in perspective and to care about the things that really matter.
Thank you to the Fundación Aladina for the opportunity to live this unforgettable experience, and to the Barretstown team for the care, support and fabulous work they do each and every day. I hope to be able to go again, and to do my small part for those who really need it.

Lorena Puyoles

Testimonials:

At first I didn’t really understand what Barretstown was about, I even thought the money destined to it would be better spent in the foundation’s day-to-day operations, when the children are in the hospital. I WAS SO WRONG…

Barretstown is not a camp, it’s not an experience, it really is something difficult to explain.

For me it’s a magical place where everyone is treated equally, nobody sees the outside; the only thing that matters is what’s on the inside. Children from all over Europe who have overcome a life threatening illness come together, they share tasks, develop their creative side making videos, taking part in the photo workshop or in the amazing Arts and Crafts room where they do all kinds of crafts. But it doesn’t stop at that, they learn to overcome their fears in the incredible adventure that is the High Ropes, they go canoeing, horse back riding and even practice their skills as archers.

The food is incredible, I never thought I could gain 4 kilos in a week…and the medical team, to say the least, is amazing. They know where every kid is the 24 hours of the day, what activity they’re taking part in, what CARA they’re with (Caras are camp counselors), what time their medication is due and there they show up, in their little golf cart, bringing everything they’ll need to continue their medical treatment.

All of this is orchestrated by a great team of professionals who work 24/7 for the kids and the volunteers; the activity coordinators, directors, cooks, medical team etc. There’s a ratio of two adults per child, a dream setting, castle, lake, gardens…

For the children, Barretstown has immeasurable effects. Those who have become introverted and shy after their illness, evolve day by day in Barretstown. Little by little they start to talk to other kids, to show their emotions, to play with their peers and before realizing it they have regained their self-esteem, they are proactive in their interpersonal relationships and they’re just HAPPY.

There’s only one thing left for me to say: I’ll be back in 2011!!!


Olegario Yañez, Aladina’s volunteer

Testimonials:

Does magic exist? Yes it does, and it’s called Barretstown. Barretstown and everything about it; the people, the place…it’s all perfect.
Everything is ready to make the hundreds of children and teenagers who go there year after year feel unique and special.

Tons of teenagers, all with one thing in common, the cancer they have or have had. Young people from all over Europe. In my case, this year, us Spaniards were able to share 10 days of adventure with Greeks, Italians and British. A veritable mix and exchange of cultures that surprised us all and that we will never forget.

Thank you to everyone who gives us the chance to partake in this incredible experience that will remain forever in our minds and hearts.
No matter how much I write I will never find the right words to express what this trip to Ireland means to all the children and teenagers that go there each summer, so I’ll summarize it in 4 words: spirit, friendship, happiness and magic…lots of magic!

Testimonials:

Barretstown has been one of the best experiences of my life.
It’s a different universe, a world full of magic and smiles where you feel really close to everyone, no matter where they are from, because you know that all of them have felt like you, that all of them have been through the same as you.
In Barretstown you forget all the bad things. It’s as if time stood still. All the suffering stays in Spain and 10 ten new days begin in which there’s only space for happiness.

You get to take part in thousands of great activities in which you have a fantastic time, but over all, one of the best things of Barretstown is the people. It is truly amazing to see how everyone is able to overcome the weight of their illness and to laugh and play.

There are fabulous volunteers and “caras”. They cheer you up, support you and always stand by you. I became so fond of them it would be hard for me to express it with words in this letter and I’ll be forever thankful to them for everything they’ve done, for all their help.

Barretstown gave me strength to go on. Sometimes when you’re having a hard time you lock yourself up inside the illness and cannot see beyond it; however Barretstown “opens your eyes” and teaches you that happiness is still there, waiting for you to walk towards it so it can come back to you. Barretstown helps you dream again, regain hope…In barretstown you learn that chemo is just another phase in your life, a hard one, but one that will eventually end.

Barretstown gives you support and encouragement to be able to face a chemo treatment. It gives you enough energy to be strong all the time and regain the will to fight and go on. It teaches you to not loose spirit or to get depressed during the treatment, it also helps you realize, that as all phases of life, this one will pass and the suffering will become a mere memory.
You understand that cancer can be overcome and that you will be able to do it.