Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzalez facts for kids
Enrique Figaredo (born on September 21, 1959) is a special kind of priest called a Jesuit. He is known as the "Bishop of the Wheelchairs" because he has helped so many people in Cambodia. He works as the Apostolic Prefect of Battambang, which means he leads the Catholic Church in that area.
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His Early Life and Education
Enrique Figaredo grew up in Spain. He was the seventh of eight children. His family was involved in industry in northern Spain. He also has a cousin, Rodrigo Rato Figaredo, who is a Spanish politician.
Enrique went to a Jesuit school in Gijon, Spain, called Colegio de la Inmaculada. He finished school in 1976. Later, in 1979, he joined the Jesuit order. He studied many subjects, including economics, Theology, and Philosophy.
In 1985, while still studying, Enrique volunteered to help refugees. He went to a Cambodian refugee camp in Thailand. After this experience, he returned to Spain to finish his studies. He became a Jesuit priest in 1992. Right after becoming a priest, he went back to Cambodia to continue his work.
Helping People in Need
Enrique Figaredo has spent his life helping people with disabilities. He first started in Thailand and then moved to Cambodia. He especially helps those who were hurt by landmines. Landmines are hidden bombs that can explode and cause serious injuries.
He also works with the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. This group won the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to stop landmines. Enrique has started many projects to raise money and help victims of these terrible weapons.
Special Centers for Help
In 1991, Enrique founded a place called Banteay Prieb in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Its name means "The Dove House." Here, children who were hurt by landmines can go to school. People with disabilities also learn to make wheelchairs. These wheelchairs are made of wood and have three wheels, following a design called the Mekong model.
In another city, Battambang, he started the "Arrupe Center." This center helps the community grow in many ways. It supports education, offers job training for adults, builds important structures, and provides emergency help.
Enrique Figaredo continues to help Cambodia develop. He works with different non-profit groups (NGOs). He is also part of the Ban Cluster Bomb Campaign. Cluster bombs are another type of dangerous weapon that can harm many people.
Dance Tours for Cambodia
Enrique Figaredo also came up with the idea of dance tours. These tours help people learn about Cambodia, its culture, and the challenges it faces. They also raise money for the aid and development projects in Cambodia. There have been three major dance tours: in 2000, 2005, and 2008.
The 2008 Dance Tour: Cambodia Within Reach
The 2008 dance tour was called "Cambodia Within Reach." A group called "Tahen’s Dance Group" traveled around Spain for six weeks in September and October 2008. This dance group had 65 members. They were divided into four smaller groups.
One group had 14 dancers aged 14 to 17. Another had 18 dancers aged 18 to 20. A third group was very special, with 15 dancers from the Arrupe Center. These dancers had disabilities, often from landmines, cluster bombs, or poliomyelitis (polio). The last group included 10 musicians and 3 people who helped manage the tour.
Each show featured 6 or 7 traditional Cambodian dances. For example, "The Blessing Dance" had 7 dancers dressed as apsaras, who are like celestial nymphs. They would bless the audience with gentle movements and flowers. You can even see carvings of these ancient dances on the walls of the famous Angkor Wat temple. Other dances like "The Coconut Dance," "The Fish Dance," and "The Harvest Dance" showed everyday life and traditions in Cambodia. These were just a few of the 20 dances in their show.
The group performed 17 times in 12 different Spanish cities. These cities included Madrid, Valladolid, Gijon, Oviedo, Alicante, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Córdoba, Seville, and Badajoz.
Awards for His Work
Enrique Figaredo has received many awards for his important humanitarian work in Cambodia. One award was the Grand Cross of Civil Order of Social Solidarity, given by the Spanish government. He also received the Golden Amuravela, an award given each year by the Friends of Cudillero Association.
See also
In Spanish: Enrique Figaredo Alvargonzález para niños
