Partnered venture 'Mision Benaiges' realizes vision of the sea-promising mentor, 88 years since the original promise
In an inspiring educational expedition, a group of 29 children, aged 8 to 13, are embarking on a journey that takes them to various locations in Spain, including Burgos, La Rioja, Navarra, Zaragoza, and Mont-roig del Camp. The trip, known as the "Benaiges Mission," is a tribute to Antoni Benaiges, a Second Republic teacher who once promised his students to take them to see the sea but was unable to due to the Civil War.
The journey is more than just a travel experience; it's a learning, cohabitation, and enjoyment process designed to bring Benaiges's buried promise to life. Houda, leading a group from the Tabadol Association, is guiding the children through this enriching experience.
In Logroño, the group visited La Barranca mass grave, a poignant reminder of the 400 people repressed by Francoism. The somber visit sparked many questions among the children about the reasons behind Benaiges' assassination and the struggles of that era.
In Bañuelos de Bureba, the children visited the school where Benaiges once taught. Javier González, president of the Benaiges Association, warmly received the group. The María de Borja Educators Association, based in Granada, is also part of this educational journey, with members Noelia and Mari Carmen accompanying the children.
As the journey continues, the group stops at Mont-roig del Camp, the birthplace of Antoni Benaiges. Jaume and Elisa, his nephews, share personal memories of their uncle with the group. The children also watch the film "The Teacher Who Promised the Sea" in the very school where Benaiges taught.
In Sartaguda, Navarra, the group listens to the accounts of relatives of repressed members of the Association of Families of the Executed of Navarra 1936. These encounters provide the children with a deeper understanding of the historical context and the significance of Benaiges's work.
Mariquilla, an 8-year-old girl from Granada, is one of the participants. She expresses that the trip is the best thing that has ever happened to her. Mariquilla aspires to be a teacher, a veterinarian, a doctor, and possibly an artist when she grows up, embodying the spirit of education that Benaiges stood for.
The Association for the Preservation of Historical Memory in La Rioja delves into the reasons why La Barranca has a strong symbolic charge, adding depth to the children's learning experience. Meanwhile, Houda and her colleagues from the Tabadol Association work with the children of La Cañada to create a space of equality, respect, culture, and dialogue.
This educational journey is not just a trip; it's a tribute to a teacher who promised his students the sea, a testament to the power of education, and a beacon of hope for a new generation.
The Benaiges Mission, a learning journey across Spain, has sparked curiosity among the children about the reasons behind Antoni Benaiges's assassination and the struggles of that era. As Mariquilla, an aspiring teacher, veterinarian, doctor, and artist, embarks on this expedition, she is embodying the spirit of education that Benaiges stood for.
