AVOI

AVOI is a Voluntary Association established at the suggestion of one of the doctor’s to offer more than (just) medical care to children in hospital. Juan Carmona is the founder being involved along with his wife from the first.   In 1997 AVOI was formally registered with 12 volunteers. Within a month they had 50 and today there are 130 volunteers.

AVOI aims to help boys and girls in hospital at Materno-Infantil to make their lives as pleasant as possible and to organise events to benefit the children within the hospital environment and outside.

Based principally in the Oncology Unit at Materno-Infantil AVOI began a joint project in collaboration with the hospital directorate to ensure children in hospital should never be without the possibility to have fun and enjoy themselves even when in hospital. Activities organised by AVOI include a variety of fun, cultural, theraputic and excursions to the countryside, activity parks and sports venues.

The most ambitious event ever organised by AVOI was a trip to Euro Disney and Founder, Juan Carmona recalls not only how much all the children and carers enjoyed the visit but also the longer term benefits. Amazingly there was a demonstrable improvement in the response to treatment of some of the children after the visit. One boy who had never been out of a wheelchair even managed to stand up during the visit such was his excitement.

The 130 volunteers work in the hospital from Monday to Sunday with the children and their families, supporting the children and their families through some very difficult times.