Projects carried out in the neighbourhood for the most vulnerable
Socio-cultural centre Zaidín, Granada
The Little Sisters of the Assumption arrived in the Zaidín district of Granada in 1974. At the time, the area lacked essential services such as healthcare, education, and public infrastructure, including paved streets, public lighting and transportation. While 50 years have passed and Zaidín has undergone significant transformation, social challenges persist, albeit in new forms. Economic crises, migration restrictions, gentrification and cultural discrimination have reshaped and diversified the needs of its residents.
Our charism and commitment to living and working in working-class neighbourhoods have allowed us to journey alongside the families of Zaidín, adapting to these evolving realities. Over the years, we have contributed to significant social progress. We continue to work daily for a more dignified and fair life. As our Rule of Life (no. 19) reminds us: “[…] We search with others for ways to create an environment where each one is called by name, invited to be creative and gradually to take part in building up the world.”
The neighbourhood where we live was originally composed of wooden shacks, which were later replaced by casillas bajas (low-rise huts). At the time, these represented a significant improvement in housing conditions. During the first democratic elections, we became aware of a pressing issue: many women in the neighbourhood were unable to read or write. As a result, we felt called to create spaces within one of these small, low-rise houses where people could feel welcomed, heard, and supported. Partnering with other congregations, we began organising groups of women to offer them literacy courses. This initiative soon evolved into the Adult Socio-Cultural Centre, an association that developed workshops based on the community’s expressed needs.
Today, the work of the Socio-Cultural Centre is structured around a variety of programmes, each designed to address specific challenges and promote inclusion, equality, and holistic support for local residents. Our efforts primarily focus on: families at risk or experiencing social exclusion, women, migrants representing around 15 nationalities, youth, and children.
Train and Participe: This programme focuses on promoting gender equality through workshops and activities that empower women to address inequalities and reflect on their role in society. Local women participate in training sessions that equip them with tools to actively engage in community life and foster social change.
All Zaidín: The goal of this programme is to promote intercultural coexistence and support the full integration of migrants and their families into the neighbourhood. Activities are designed to facilitate cultural exchange, foster values such as respect, and build support networks. In addition, the programme provides assistance in key areas such as language acquisition, access to essential services, and guidance for social and professional inclusion.
Redefine Your Future: As part of the ERACI Strategy (Andalusian Regional Strategy for Social Cohesion and Inclusion), this programme offers individuals in vulnerable situations opportunities to acquire practical tools for social and professional integration. Personalised support and targeted training workshops help participants develop skills needed to enter the workforce and achieve greater stability.
Educa Zaidín: This programme is dedicated to the educational, social, and cultural development of children and teenagers. It provides year-round tutoring. It also organises a Summer School, which marked its 22nd year in 2024 with the participation of 109 children. Drawing on Freire’s liberating pedagogy, which ties learning to the lived experiences of each individual, Educa Zaidín aims to reduce school dropouts and foster holistic growth and development.
July 2024 Summer School Programme:
For many local children, the Summer School is their only opportunity for a holiday. Over the course of one month, we transform a local school into a vibrant space of learning and growth, with activities facilitated by 8 professional educators, 12 volunteers, and the Little Sisters, who oversee the program.
- Education about values
- Workshops: Focusing on equality, environmental stewardship, and civic responsibility.
- Encouraging healthy and balanced diets
- Leisure and free time…
Time is devoted to discovering different cultures, learning about respect, solidarity, and commitment to their environment and daily lives, while teenagers gradually explore their immediate educational future.
None of this would be possible without the close collaboration of local associations and partner organisations, whose efforts make solidarity a tangible reality. Special recognition goes to the young migrant professionals, volunteers, and associates who bring dedication and passion to the mission, ensuring decent work conditions for everyone involved. Together, this network of support enables us to create projects that build a community rooted in justice and solidarity.
The human and spiritual journey we have shared with the neighbourhood has been deeply transformative. It reflects the charism of the Little Sisters of the Assumption—a life of action expressed through meaningful gestures and words. As our founder, E. Pernet, beautifully stated:
“The little sister is a missionary; she is all the more so because she has to live among the poor.”
This experience reaffirms our congregation’s commitment to being present where we are most needed. It strengthens our mission to build a community of love and solidarity while upholding our dedication to social justice and the dignity of every person.
Granada Community, Spain, Sr Carmen Jímenez
