‘Bachiller Bansón Carrasco’, a programme to improve the quality of life of children with special needs in Lebanon

•  The BRILIB XLII Psychological Support Team visits various centres in the area on a weekly basis to provide specialised support.

The main objective of the 'Bachiller Sansón Carrasco' programme is to contribute to improve the quality of life of children living in the area where the Spanish troops are deployed. ‘The work we are doing with UNIFIL,' says Captain Campos, a psychologist, 'gives us the opportunity to help a particularly vulnerable population'.

This activity, carried out in the framework of civil-military cooperation, consists of providing specialised psychological face-to-face support to children with special needs or those who need assistance because they have experienced a traumatic event. This is achieved through psycho-educational sessions that promote the children's overall development and emotional well-being.

At present, the care is divided into two main groups. On the one hand, support is given to children with special needs.  Activities are carried out to work on and improve different skills and abilities, such as attention, basic motor skills, fine and gross psychomotor skills, dynamic coordination and balance, speed, reflexes, the ability to implement strategies, cooperation and teamwork. The aim of all this is to strengthen the children's autonomy and at the same time promote their integration into the school and social environment.

The other group is made up of children aged between 4 and 10 who have experienced traumatic situations. They are offered strategies to help them deal with the effects of the conflict and violence they have suffered and continue to suffer. In this sense, strategies are implemented to develop emotional regulation and coping skills.

On the other hand, work is also done to improve the family and educational environment through guidance and counselling sessions for teachers and families. These sessions provide tools to strengthen the supportive environment of children and promote their resilience and balanced development after trauma.

Captain Calderero, a psychologist, says of these activities: 'We are deeply grateful to have been able to made a difference in the lives of these children and their teachers. Their love and gratitude had a huge impact on us and will leave an indelible mark on all of us. '

The programme is currently operating in two schools: Hasbaya Centre School in the village of Suq Al Khan and Saint George's School in the village of Kleyaa. There have been requests from other villages to initiate and host the programme, especially since the return to normality after the conflict. 

At present, the programme has a total of 45 students who attend classes once a week for approximately three hours.

Spain in UNIFIL

The Spanish Armed Forces first deployed to Lebanon in September 2006. Most of the Operation Libre Hidalgo contingent is based at the ‘Miguel de Cervantes’ base near the town of Marjayoun, where the Spanish-led Sector East HQ is located. Spanish troops are also stationed at the mission's headquarters in Naqoura. 

Currently, more than 650 Spanish military personnel are participating in UNIFIL with the aim of guaranteeing compliance with UN Resolution 1701 in a highly unstable security situation, despite the peace agreement signed between Israel and Lebanon in November 2024.