Last week Iberchem has led a workshop on the sense of smell at one of the SOS Children’s Villages day care centres in Spain. Education is one of the most important elements of Iberchem’s sustainability policy, and this activity allows us to collaborate with local communities and help children learn science in a fun way.

Iberchem perfumer María Fructuoso explained to the children the differences between natural and artificial raw materials and talked about the work of perfumers. The children also learned a basic concept of perfumery: the scent pyramid of a fragrance. “For me, it’s a great pleasure to be able to bring a little bit of our profession to the children. I think we’ve had fun and learned, and I hope to have awakened scientific vocations. It’s a pleasure to see how these children take an interest in chemistry and fragrances.”

Nieves Seano, director of the SOS Children’s Villages Day Centre in Benicalap, Valencia, was happy about being able to do fun workshops that also encourage curiosity about science: “Our goal is to strengthen vulnerable families so they can better care for their children and avoid severe protection measures, such as separation. Because if the circumstances allow it, the best place for children to be is with their families.”

The SOS Children’s Villages Day Centre of Valencia is home to 42 children who are at risk or vulnerable. The centre works to prevent family separation.

There are currently 300,000 children in Spain who are at risk of being removed from or have already been removed from parental care.