On the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities today, December 3, the Split-Dalmatia County and HŽ Putnički prijevoz are organizing a humanitarian ride that they donate to children with disabilities and children without parents and parental care. Children from the Juraj Bonači Education Center in Split also participated in this year's ride. The humanitarian ride on the Tin-express Christmas train runs on the route Split - Kaštel Stari - Split, and is organized in a new diesel-electric motor train that will continuously run in the Split area and in the regular urban-suburban transport of the City of Split on the route Split - Kaštel Stari - Split.
On that occasion, County Prefect Boban said: - After all, you see the smiles on the children's faces. In the informal part of the introductory conversation, I told you that this is one of the most beautiful trips we have. This is the fourth year that we have traditionally organized this together with HŽ Passenger Transport. It is precisely on this day, the Day of Persons with Disabilities, that we dedicate our time to them. It so happens that it is always during the time of Advent, during Advent. In this way, we cheer up the children in a way and make them happy, and on the other hand, we also act educationally - we show how important it is, especially in our suburbs, to use the train as a means of transportation. That is why I am particularly happy and satisfied. Of course, we have been financing it from the first day, or rather co-financing it together with HŽ Passenger Transport. And what I can already announce this year is that around December 15th, a battery-powered train will be introduced in our area on the Split–Stari Grad route. I hope that we will also attend this event and see how everything will work together.
When asked in what ways the Split-Dalmatia County will be involved during the winter holidays, I would answer: like every year, instead of investing funds in receptions or socializing, the entire county administration – me, my deputies and heads – will be with the homeless. We will distribute vouchers to all the homeless, but also to all those in a more difficult social status in the Split-Dalmatia County. We will also, on the eve of Christmas Eve and Christmas, distribute vouchers and spend some time with the homeless – 49 of them, counting Split and Kaštela. We will talk to them and organize a closed-door event, with a special lunch and distribution of vouchers, in order to celebrate these holidays with more dignity than usual.
To our question: - This is the fourth year in a row that such a humanitarian ride has been held. You can best tell how the children react and how much this actually means to them?, Snježana Čotić, head of the Juraj Bonači Split Education Center, said: - It means a lot to them. Already before these days, they often ask us when the Christmas train will be, they are already preparing. You can already feel the joy and Christmas mood inside the institution, and their bright and joyful hearts are waiting for gifts and presents. One of the gifts is this train that they give themselves. We are grateful to the Split-Dalmatia County and the Croatian Railways for inviting us again. We are happy to respond because it is truly important for the children to leave the institution, especially on their day - the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. This is the most beautiful gift they could have received. And as children, eternal children, they are also looking forward to all the gifts they will receive during this ride - she said and added: - There are 140 children on the train, and not only from Split. Our beneficiaries from the branches in Sinj and Makarska also joined us, so here are children from Split, Sinj and Makarska.
By the way, we currently take care of 750 users – we provide social services in Split, Sinj, Makarska, in schools and organized housing. We have employees, but there is a lack of professional staff; this is a chronic problem in the profession. However, despite this, we manage to organize everything and ensure that the system functions.
Mihaela Tomurad Sušac, spokesperson for HŽ Passenger Transport, emphasized in a short statement: - I am extremely pleased that for years, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we have been able to cheer up children – children with difficulties and disabilities – by giving them this train ride. For many children, this is their first encounter with a train. Inside, they are greeted by Santa Claus, gifts and a song. We are all really looking forward to it together and every time the day goes wonderfully. I would also like to thank the County Prefect Boban and the county for participating with us in organizing this humanitarian ride in the Split area for the fourth year in a row.
Photo: SDŽ
