Child sponsorship update from Esteli, Nicaragua

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Esteli, Nicaragua from December 2008.

Dear friends,

Our SOS Children’s Village is really proud of all those people who have big hearts to contribute without any interest a bit in order that this great work continues and guarantee that children and adolescents accomplish all their rights and everything will go along beyond their best interests, giving them the opportunity to train themselves as useful young people for the society.

One of the significant successes of this year has been the new village director that is a former SOS child. One of our young ladies says - "We are really proud in having her as a Director, in this village history she is first former SOS child that assumes a charge with a great responsibility and challenges, we are more inspired and stimulated to keep trying and reaching all the goals that we’ve proposed". Another girl expressed - "we are glad to have a person that grew up and trained in our village, it is an example for us as she understands our position in life."

We live in the SOS community in a happy and a dynamic way as each SOS mother do their best in order that children and adolescents live happy attending them in all aspects such as health issue, food, and moral, spiritual and train them as useful person in the society.

At the moment this village is home for 100 children, besides our Youth facilities are composed by 36 young people. We still have place for 26 children, thanks to some good friends from Luxemburg we have the great opportunity to built two new SOS homes during this year that joint necessary conditions for the conformation of two new families. This building process and equipment demanded so much effort from us, above all to guarantee the end of the project on time. Recently we had the visit of representatives from the Supporting and Promoting Association Luxemburg who showed satisfaction of the construction quality (living rooms, dining room, kitchen, and bathroom and so on)

Events at Esteli

During Easter time vacations each family with so much joy, enthusiasm and dynamism bought plastic swimming pools which were placed around the village park which were filled of water by the children. Holy week was lovely as they danced, ate a lot of fruits of the season and splashed water until loose energy. In the afternoon they participated in religious activities in the company of their SOS mothers and the community.

In June we celebrated with so much joy the SOS family day that is worldwide celebrated on the birth date of our founder, that day we had culture and sports activities with the participation of all the SOS families where all the tables and chairs were placed around the village park and children, young people, SOS mother and co-workers might enjoy a yummy food, for that reason we thank God for the chance that has given us to share a lovely environment, providing the children a home, love and security.

On the other hand, recently Yorleny, (a young girl that lives in the house 11) found an aunt called Patricia that used to live with her long time ago, until her biological mother claimed for her and after a short time she abandoned her, this aunty did her best effort but suddenly she found her living almost 8 moths in the SOS village with two siblings. Once they met again everything was exciting with many tears for emotion, the other two brothers Yilmer and Jorlan are ready to accept emotionally this biological aunt.

This year three of our mothers will have a test of good practice related to relevant successes at home as primordial request for being officially named as SOS mothers. They are always available in acquiring new knowledge to work with children according to their characteristics.

Children achieving success

During the year we have obtained positive achievements seeing that the 95 % of children will be graduated to the institution of higher education, one of our young lady was graduated in one of that university down in La Habana, Cuba, another is Roger Elias will graduate in the carrier of Computing and Ariel will be finished the high school in the United World School, in Costa Rica, while he studied there he applied for getting a scholarship in the USA which was approved, in October he traveled to initiate a course of computing. Moreover four young people successfully finalised the 10th grade of high school and as well a technical carrier of accounting. And in the same children were promoted from the primary school.

We have worked in coordination with the Ministry of the Family carrying out 12 meetings were they selected themes like self-esteem, studying tactics, personal improvement, and how to treat to other people and so on. This training process culminated with a cultural and a dynamic event dedicated to the children, they also shared yummy sandwiches prepared by SOS mothers, and at the same time we formed an adolescents’ club which is integrated by young people of the village and youth facilities.

All these achievements were possible thanks to your generous collaboration. Thank you so much and God may always bless you

Domitila Orozco
Village Director
Esteli, Nicaragua