Reka Holidays are the highlight for the whole family. For Monika Roth* and her two little boys and a daughter of school age, they are really the only possibility to go on holiday at all. “Otherwise it would be far too expensive for us”, says the single mother. “Of course, I never say to the children that we’re poor. On the contrary, I simply try to lead a normal family life.”
And yet being “normal” and going on holiday like other families is not something that can be taken for granted. Monika Roth is bringing up and looking after her children alone, both at weekends and in the holidays. She cannot work in her original profession as a primary school teacher because of the attendance hours required so her income from a part-time office job has to suffice for the family. She works when the children are at school and comes home with them at the same time. “Because the children have very little time to eat, ideally lunch should already be on the table when we come through the door! It’s pretty stressful.”
Stress is part of everyday family life. “As I’m a single mother, the children have to help and bear their share of responsibility. It’s very demanding for them as well“, says Monika. Does she have any time for herself? Very little. The Roths look forward to their holidays all the more eagerly! But you can only request Reka Holiday Aid every other year. “The children would obviously prefer to go on a Reka Holiday each year. For them, the weeks spent in Reka Villages are the most fabulous experience. We really appreciate being able to take advantage of this possibility“, says Monika enthusiastically.
When the children were younger they loved the Rekalino kids’ programme. They still have vivid memories of all the fun they had. The youngest boy now thinks the swimming pool is the best part of the Reka Village. Whatever programme the Roths choose, they always plunge into the pool every day, which is something they can never do back home. Monika’s daughter adores going for walks when the foursome always discover somewhere new. Just like when they were on holiday in Sörenberg, where they went up in the mountain railway every day and set off on an adventure. The fare was included in Reka Holiday Aid. There were barbecue picnics and they all splashed around afterwards at the water playground to cool down. The 7-year-old still remembers the go-karts in Lenk as if it were yesterday and not three years ago! Of course, he’d love to have holidays there every year. But Monika Roth realizes that her children are also getting to know Switzerland and that without Reka Holiday Aid they wouldn’t have this golden opportunity.
On some days the family stays in the Reka Village where the children can play by themselves and Monika has some precious time for herself. She knows that her children are happy and safe. It means a lot to her that they have time to play with each other and set out on new ventures together. She treasures the quiet moments when she can be alone. She recuperates on holiday, recharges her batteries and tops up with fresh energy.
These are happy and memorable times. The children come home with wonderful memories. And that’s not all. At school, the schoolchildren will be able to report back during lessons on their weekends and holidays. Now Monika Roth’s children can also tell all their friends stories about their adventures, games and discoveries – just like the other children.
*The name has been changed to ensure privacy protection.
Reka Holidays are the highlight for the whole family. For Monika Roth* and her two little boys and a daughter of school age, they are really the only possibility to go on holiday at all. “Otherwise it would be far too expensive for us”, says the single mother. “Of course, I never say to the children that we’re poor. On the contrary, I simply try to lead a normal family life.”
read moreA positive decision from Reka Holiday Aid triggers an outburst of joy! The answer as to whether Gabriela Wenger and her family can go on a Reka Holiday arrives sometime around Christmas. “For us, it’s a wonderful present when our request is accepted. Otherwise we couldn’t afford holidays.” The Wenger family includes the parents and their eleven children. The youngest is 6 and the oldest 26.
read moreA week at a holiday camp in Switzerland: for many children this would naturally be part of their holiday experience. But for girls and boys with autism it’s a different story. Their dream of spending a whole week playing with other children is all too often unfulfilled. They are unable to properly process the many new sensations, hectic hustle and bustle and unexpected changes so often encountered in a holiday camp situation. This is why the ‘autismus deutsche schweiz’ association organizes holiday camps for children with autism in an environment adapted to their needs and where the Reka Foundation for Holiday Aid makes a significant contribution.
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