Playing together as a family in Colombia

As part of its Family Strengthening Programmes in Colombia, SOS Children holds family gatherings that encourage families to play games together, and experience happiness and laughter. The participants are families that go to SOS Social Centre Nueva Vida and two SOS Community Centres, which are situated in the city of Bogotá.

Children remember their experiences of affection and playing together as a family for the rest of their lives. These are natural ways of learning: children can relate to their surroundings, develop communication skills, share pleasurable moments, and strengthen the bond between family members. "It was the first time that I had been to an event like it and I loved it, I found out things that I had not known about my daughter, and we shared important moments. We had so much fun," says one of the mothers at a family meeting that is being held at the SOS Community Centre. "The families take part in different games," explains one of SOS staff members. "Through the games, the family members develop learning skills that allow the exchange of information, encourage them to find out about each other, and help them to live together."

Based on the ideas of Jairo Anibal Niño (a children's writer from Colombia who questions the lifestyle of adults that are stuck in their ways, are wrapped up in their everyday lives and are not spontaneous), the programme aims to awaken the feelings of fathers and mothers by getting them to laugh together spontaneously and getting them to realise that they have things in common. "It made me realise that we are still children at heart. It's also great to be able to behave like children and to be able to release so much tension through games. It is wonderful to share experiences with our children, to learn how to communicate, and to express love and tenderness through the games," says Martha, whose daughter attends a play group at SOS Social Centre Nueva Vida.

In 2007, different family meetings were held as part of the three Family Strengthening Programmes: "Caring for each other as a family" (held in March), "Rediscovering children's games" (held in June) and "Expressing good behaviour in paint" (held in September). The first of 2008 will be held soon and will mean that many more participants will have the opportunity to strengthen their bonds with their families through games. Ezequiel, a father from the community, says: "The best therapy for body and soul is to rediscover something that will always stand the test of time - games. It really was an excellent experience!"