Child sponsor visits Arequipa

Elizabeth Fairgrieve, SOS child sponsor from Dundee has been supporting our work for many years. Below, Elizabeth describes her visit to the SOS Children's Village at Arequipa, Peru to meet her sponsored child.

The 2007 Advent Appeal from Broughty Ferry New Kirk, Dundee raised a substantial sum, enough to cover the costs for refurbishment and renewal of facilities and equipment required by the Outreach Programme from the Social Centre in Arequipa. During a return visit to Peru with a friend in September I had the opportunity of visiting aspects of the work of the Social Centre and the children’s village.

We were collected from our hotel by the Directors of the Community Centre and the Children’s Village and discovered that neither spoke English at all! My Spanish was sorely challenged! The morning was spent visiting three of the of the Community Centres in the shanty towns which provide support for single parents (mostly mothers) and nursery education for pre-school children.

What a welcome we received! It was obvious how much the money had been appreciated and put to good use. For example, one classroom (pictured) had been re-roofed and decorated and kitchen equipment renewed. We were impressed by the support being given to single parents (mostly mothers) through the family strengthening programmes which aim to prevent family break-up and children being abandoned.

Unforgettable experience

In the afternoon we visited the main SOS Social Centre in the city where a banner made by the Junior Church was presented. Finally we went to the Children’s Village so that I could meet and get to know Luis Fernando, the boy I sponsor, (quite an emotional experience). I just wish it could have been longer. He is a delightful boy and a joy to spend time with him.

The contrast between life in the shanty towns and the village is great and somewhat thought provoking.

We arrived back at the hotel with our heads buzzing with all we had seen and learnt plus the pleasure of meeting such warm, appreciative people. And we thank them all for making the day so memorable.

SOS Children has been working in Peru since 1975 and to-date has eight children's villages caring directly for over 1,000 children. A further 12,000 children and their families are supported through SOS projects including social centres and emergency relief programmes.

SOS Social Centres provide day care and training opportunties to help families stay together. Our emergency relief programmes in Peru have given essential items to those affected by natural disasters.

You can support children like Luis by sponsoring a child.