The II Inclusion Gala: a circus full of magic and surprises

The Department of Social Services of San Bartolomé de Tirajana, directed by Mercedes Díaz, held last Friday, December 3, the II Inclusion Gala to celebrate the International Day of People with Disabilities.

 

The event took place at the Maspalomas Cultural Center, where a show set in the world of the circus filled the auditorium with surprises and thrilled more than a hundred attendees. The Gala, produced by Corazón Azul Producciones, has as its fundamental objective to pay tribute to individuals, professionals and associations that work every day to achieve real inclusion of people with functional diversity in the municipality. 

 

Among the cast of artists who participated in the show, Juanka Hernández, the actress and comedian Yanely Hernández, the singer Pepe Benavente, the La Cirquesta company, the actor Adrián Rosales del Castillo and the actor, singer and dancer David García stand out. For their part, Guacimara Gil and Virginia Acosta were in charge of directing the gala.

 

The world of the circus and magic made an appearance on stage, where there was no shortage of jugglers, stilt walkers, music and fun. The most special moments of the night were without a doubt when the different recognitions were made.

 

The First Deputy Mayor of the municipality, Samuel Henríquez Quintana, and the Councilor for Roads and Works, Bartolomé Acosta, presented the awards for the first block of recognitions:

 

Radio Dunas : a municipal radio station that is informative, participatory, and cultural, where people with disabilities always have a voice. Cristo Santiago attended as their representative.

 

The San Bartolomé de Tirajana Local Police and Fire Department were recognized for their important service to the community and for promoting activities for people with disabilities, such as open house events and road safety workshops. Benjamín Benítez and Juan Andrés attended as representatives.

 

The second block of recognitions featured the presence on stage of Clara Inés Martel, Councilor for Social Action and Municipal Services, and Francisca Quintana, Councilor for Environmental Policies, who presented the following recognitions:

 

Darrod Tennis Academy : a tennis school that offers inclusive classes and develops activities for people with disabilities from the Occupational Center.

 

CAMP El Tablero, a center for the care of people with severe intellectual disabilities, is a care center whose objective is to maintain and improve the level of autonomy of its users. A multidisciplinary team leads this effort, and in addition to their excellent professional work, they create a welcoming and familiar environment for the users. Raquel Arranz attended as a representative.

 

Radio Ecca : an educational, communications, and social action institution that aims to provide the best possible training to the greatest number of people, prioritizing those most in need. Among its initiatives, its collaboration with the San Bartolomé de Tirajana Occupational Center stands out, providing the necessary materials for classes and offering tutoring to enrolled participants. José María Segura attended as a representative.

 

DISA Foundation: This foundation was born as an expression of the DISA group's vocation to develop its social dimension throughs of the actions that contribute to creating a better society. To this end, and among other projects, they develop the Poyecto Capacita scholarship program and the Include-T Canarias Project. Sara Mateos attended as a representative.

 

The third and final block of recognitions came from the Mayor of the municipality, Concepción Narváez Vega, and the Councilor for Social Services and Citizen Participation, Mercedes Díaz Melián, who presented the gifts to:

 

Gabriel Sosa Pérez : a resident of El Tablero, known for his tenacity, work ethic, and perseverance in achieving his dreams. He is devoted to his family, from whom he constantly receives love and support, especially after the early and painful loss of his mother. His father, cousins, and friends have been a great source of support in his daily life.

He is currently studying at the School of Higher Art and Design of Gran Canaria the Intermediate Level Training Cycle in Assistance to Printed Graphic Products, one more step in achieving his life projects and another example of improvement and tenacity. Gabriel Sosa Pérez and his father Zoilo Sosa Santana attended.

 

Professionals of the Occupational Center of San Bartolomé de Tirajana : recognition to Magnolia Medina Guerra, Belkis Herrera González, Katiuska Zerpa Monzón, Fefy Rivero Rodríguez and José Blas Santana Chirino for their commitment and involvement in the full inclusion of disability and in the effective integration of the users of the Occupational Center.

 

Antonio Ruiz Martínez (posthumous recognition) : a leather craftsman who collaborated for years with the users of the Occupational Center. His personality and dedication to the young men and women left a lasting impression on them. Antonio lovingly taught them leather crafts and always believed in their abilities. "You are still with us, because no matter how much time passes, your teachings and your joy will remain here, where we always loved you," said the users and staff of the Occupational Center. His wife, Dolores Cantero Sepúlveda, attended the ceremony.

 

The artisan Miguel Bisquert was the person in charge of making the gifts that contained the words capacity, ability, performance, availability, acceptability and perseverance, words that identify the boys and girls of the Occupational Center and the Enclave Classrooms of the municipality.

 

The gala closed with a performance by David García, who performed the From Now On number from the musical The Greatest Showman, putting the finishing touch to a moving and unforgettable night, especially for the true protagonists of the night; all those boys and girls with diverse abilities.