Forget the hardness of an oncological process. This was the objective of the Rotterdam Zoo's first Dreamnight in 1995. That year nearly two hundred children from that town's hospital, along with their families, were invited and received behind closed doors by the entire Dutch zoo team to make that day the most special of the year.
The success of the event was indisputable and the feeling of solidarity spread quickly. A couple of years later there were more than 200 zoos around the world.
Today, The number exceeds 300, from forty-eight countries. This initiative continues to have the same objective as in its beginnings: make you forget your illness to these boys and girls, the break with the usual life that their oncological treatments entail and the entire process that they entail.
Bioparc Fuengirola joined this distribution of laughter, energy and fun in 2005. Since then, year after year, members of the entire team leave their jobs aside to contribute their bit to the organization of the event. And only for one reason: them, boys and girls from the oncology ward of the Maternal and Child Hospital of Malaga.
And this Friday, June 7, a new edition took place. The magic and emotion were palpable in the atmosphere. Everything was prepared. The team knew that at 17:00 p.m. some very special people would begin to enter and that was the case. From that time in the afternoon, the park became a totally different park.
The boys and girls from the Maternal and Child Hospital of Malaga toured the entire park enjoying some fun games about the animals it houses. Members of all teams – Education, Zoology, Herpetology, Water, Veterinary, Gardening, Maintenance, Ticket Office, Restaurant, Administration, Marketing and Photography – enlivened the afternoon with games and costumes. After a special Exhibition of birds and mammals, thanks to their team of trainers, the little ones were surprised with some gifts, thus ending more than four hours of laughter and excitement.
This Dreamnight would not have been possible without the dedication of all the members of the Bioparc Fuengirola team, the collaboration of the AVOI Association.
Next year we will celebrate 20 years of celebrating this initiative and, without a doubt, we will make it more special than ever.
