Child sponsorship update from Zarate, Peru

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Zarate, Peru from Summer 2008

Dear sponsors!

SOS Children Peru keeps growing! Ayacucho and Puno, two cities with a high rate of population living in poverty and extreme poverty conditions, shelter already SOS pilot integrated projects of long-term family-based care and family strengthening programmes. Thanks to this intervention, the families and communities involved have encouraged their leaders to actively take part in their own development process. In Ayacucho, SOS mothers who have been trained at the Formation Centre in Lima are now sharing their knowledge with mothers from the Childminding Programmes.

Several months have passed since the last time we wrote to you. Many things happened, many experiences were lived by the families of the SOS Children's Village Zarate, happy moments, sad moments, great achievements and successes, but also difficulties. However, all these experiences have contributed to strengthen our will and to the integral formation of many children and youths. They have made us all grow.

Our Children´s Village shelters currently 139 children. 10 children have been admitted, who are now new members of 7 families. Gradually they have adapted themselves to their new family environments and are now very fond of their moms and siblings. 22 young people are living in four Youth Facilities, while 6 young people have been reinserted into their biological families. It was a large process and a proper preparation was required, not only on the side of the young people but also on the side of their families. They are all very happy and excited about the possibility given to them of sharing their lives with their relatives.

Looking forward

During the summer school holidays the children took part in different workshops held at the Children´s Village and outwards. Several family trips to the beach were also organised. In the framework of the ‘Programme for Youths living in the Children's Village’ this time our young people had to possibility to express their opinion and to actively take part in the organisation of the different workshops and activities they would take part in. Among these activities workshops, conferences, camping trips, sport competitions, etc. took place, where young men and ladies had a great time and got prepared for a new phase in their lives, when they will have to move to Youth Facilities on their way towards an independent life.

José and Angely joined their SOS family in June this year. It was difficult for them to adapt themselves to their new life, and they missed their mother very much. Time has passed and now they say ‘mom’ to their SOS mother Fabiola. José, who had to leave school over a year ago, had the possibility to reasume his school formation and is now attending the 1st grade of primary school. He is very fond and protective to his little sister, the sweet and charming Angely, who is already looking forward to her first school day next March. These little big miracles would not have been possible without your support. Thank you very, very much from the bottom of our hearts!

Yours faithfully,

Saúl Flores Arroyo
Director - SOS Children´s Village Zárate