Visiting the SOS Children's Village Potosi

SOS Children supporters, Tamsin and Jim Brown recently visited the SOS Children's Village Potosi, Boliva as part of their trip cycling across South America. The couple, who left their jobs in London early in 2008 funded a vital gas fuel installation for the village as part of their charity fundraising for SOS Children. Here they tell us more about their visit to meet the children and mothers of the village.

Our visit to the SOS Children Village in Potosi, Bolivia was extremely special to us. In February, we had quit our jobs in London and started a 4,800 mile cycle ride across South America. We realised this would be a fantastic opportunity to raise money for charity and fter some research decided that half the money we raised should go to SOS Children's Village in Potosi. To encourage friends and family to dig a little deeper we organised a big raffle that was held at our farewell party.

A few days later we boarded a plane to the deep south of Chile and our long journey began.

By the time we had reached Potosi we had cycled more than 3,000 miles. Its silver-stashed mountain once made Potosi one of the richest cities in the world but those days are long gone. Sitting at about 4,000m Potosi is the highest city in the world, little grows up here and life is tough.

Tangible result from fundraising

As we cycled into the SOS Children's Village our first impression was how well-kept it is. The village is home to over 100 orphaned children who live in about 12 family homes with their 'mother' and 'brothers and sisters'. It was quiet when we arrived but at 1pm children streamed through the gates returning from various schools within Potosi and the street was filled with chatter and laughter. The village director met us and introduced us to the site's psychologist, social worker and several mothers. Our Spanish still left something to be desired but as luck would have it, one of the mothers called Raymunda had spent six years in Cambridge and was able to answer our constant questions. The funds we had raised were being used to install a gas pipeline for the homes and we were delighted to see it had already been started!

We were shown around some of the houses and were very impressed by how much thought had gone into their layout. They had been designed to allow in plenty of light which as well as keeping them bright meant they were warm - very important in Potosi where temperatures can drop well below freezing at night. Each house has a kitchen and utility room to one's left as you enter and a long area to the right for a big table where meals are eaten by the whole family together. Beyond that lies an area for relaxing and homework. The children's bedrooms have smart wooden beds and bunks and there are two ample-sized bathrooms.

Lasting impression

Raymunda kindly invited us to stay for lunch and we sat down with her and her ten children. The children were very polite and friendly towards us and thoughtful and caring towards each other. A number were brothers and sisters because of SOS Children's efforts of keeping siblings together. We were bowled over by the relationship the mother had with the children. She always had time to chat to each one and was very good humoured and relaxed.

We returned a couple of days later for lunch with a different family and then that evening had a wonderfully special evening back at Raymunda's house. Her children gave us such a warm welcome and were very relaxed around us. They sat us down and then climbed all over us, each wanting to show off their school work. The lively chatter continued over dinner. The children enjoyed quizzing us on how to say different words in Spanish while Jim's height and hairiness caused great fascination and amusement.

Raymunda called a taxi for us at the end of dinner. When we bade farewell several of the children accompanied us to the car, one holding the door and another climbing in for a final farewell hug. We were sorry to leave but have many very special memories of our visit which we will treasure forever.

We were so impressed by the safe, professional and happy environment the SOS Children's Village created for the orphans and we hope to be lifelong supporters of this brilliant cause.

To be part of the future for children like those supported by Tamsin and Jim, you can also fundraise, or take part in a charity challenge . Alternatively, sponsoring a child helps us to give children a family for life.