Article translated from Periódico Educación
As documented in socially impactful scientific literature, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Learnin Communities’ network of schools ‘opened its doors’ to hope and deep solidarity, which they practice daily. They wove networks of communication and collaboration within their communities, not only mitigating the damage seen in many other contexts but also generating new, lasting impacts that remain today. When working day by day from a place of solidarity and care, compassion flows naturally and quickly, especially when it is most needed.
This is precisely what has happened in response to the crisis caused by the DANA storm that struck the city of Valencia and surrounding regions last Tuesday. Both during and after the disaster, individuals and schools in the most affected towns rapidly mobilized through various networks, contacts, and educational associations to locate and ensure the well-being of all their students and their families, as well as to help with their immediate needs. Some schools have already managed to complete a full mapping of their educational community, preparing to provide future care and support. Others, in the hardest-hit areas, are doing everything possible to reach out to each and every family. Schools have acted as reception and distribution centers for water, food, clothing, blankets, and other essentials; members of the community have welcomed and are actively supporting others whose homes were devastated; and teachers are actively taking a stand against the misinformation that often harms our lives and spreads like wildfire in such situations.
Teachers, researchers, families, and other educational agents are already engaging in dialogue and co-creating together, drawing on international scientific literature to bring hope, friendship, and love to the most affected children. They are preparing to reduce the impact of a DANA that has destroyed so much, but whose damage can be lessened through solidarity, commitment, research, and educational movements. And we are already taking action.
We extend our deep respect and gratitude for the work these communities are carrying out during this time; may it inspire many others to act similarly in the future.
In some towns, the school stands intact as one of the main buildings, opening its doors to foster a sense of hope in a very special way for one of our most precious treasures—our children.
Cofounder of "Sherezade: Dialoguing Feminism" Women's Group
For 12 years, she worked as a special education teacher and inclusive education advisor in the Generalitat Valenciana. She is currently Associate Professor at the University of Valencia. Her research areas include Successful Educational Actions with diverse social groups and across different learning stages, teacher training, educational inclusion, and preventive socialization against gender-based violence.