Child sponsorship update from San Ignacio, Paraguay

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village San Ignacio, Paraguay from Winter 2008.

Dear Sponsors,

We feel glad to write you again now very near to Christmas time; a very happy time in our country as it might be all around the world! Since summer holidays have started there is much noise, joy and fun around the village. Not time to waste since before they know it, school starts again. Although most of the children like school, they sure love summer as well.

In general, our dear country, Paraguay, has faced many changes in 2008. We now count with a new government; a new administration that broke with 60 years of the Colorado party administration. The latter was a time of growth for an opulent minority and poverty for a vast majority. Because of the many disappointments gathered throughout the Colorado governments, very hopeful the Paraguayan families embarked in a new period of what they thought there was optimism and change. Nevertheless, so far, some are starting to lose hope before the many conflicts that are emerging in the country, involving peasants who do not own a land to work and invade private properties, corrupt politicians and state workers, insecurity and crimes among other issues. People want an immediate answer from the government, which does not seem to have a clear one yet. The general, situation affects every city as everything is linked so the villages and every SOS programme are concerned with the improvement of our country, that the wealth is equally divided and that each Paraguayan can have the opportunity to progress and build a better reality.

Within this situation, SOS Children Paraguay has also found its way to create new opportunities for children to continue growing within a healthy and embracing environment. A project called Inter campus of the Italian football team Internazionale Milan will sponsor the Social Integration Football School in allegiance with SOS Children Paraguay. The beneficiaries will be 100 boys and girls from 6 to 12 years old in an underprivileged area, Zeballos Cué. The children will have the opportunity to be part of the Football School as an encouraging factor to continue their education and finish it someday. They only have one condition for the children to be part of the project; they have to remain in school for the whole year. It is certainly a nice venture and hopefully the children can take advantage out of it.

Supporting children and communities at San Ignacio, Paraguay

Additionally, SOS Children Paraguay has witnessed a significant advance in the work of the Family Strengthening Programmes. There are currently 12 community homes and centers working in Asuncion in underprivileged areas where parents have formed family committees to run the homes. The organisation tries to be a guiding factor in the whole project allowing the committees to have autonomy and desire to progress. They need to show interest to overcome the difficulties in their area and work in synergy towards building a safer and healthier community.

They are given the tools so they can work for the outcome and its benefits themselves.

In addition, it is scheduled to open 3 more homes before the end of the year. The parents’ committees are already working for these new homes and the constructions continue to soon be able to welcome the children. The program is designed for children from 0-5 years old whose parents work in the morning or afternoon. They stay in the homes and centers with the community mothers, which is how they are called. These mothers cook and give some basic nursery level activities to the children.

Moreover, to widen the coverage the organization is now gathering information and carrying out the community diagnosis in another big city in Paraguay, Ciudad del Este, which shows important needs in the family and children area. Perhaps next year the project will be implemented there as well.

In general, this approach, which is in a way different to the village service, is a very important one as it also considers those children who have built bonds with their parents but these are unable to take care of them for various reasons. The programs facilitate parents to work and provide for their children’s needs and strengthen the family which in our society seems to have lost all its meaning of protection, shelter and love.

Events at San Ignacio, Paraguay

Now I would like to share with you some of the highlights of the year in SOS Children’s Village San Ignacio-Kuarahy (sun).

Up to the current date, we count with 103 children and adolescents forming 13 families in the village. Just in October we welcomed 3 new children who arrived with certain apprehension but are now adjusting well. With the intention of keep providing shelter to more children who have lost their homes or safety there, a new house is planned to be opened in San Ignacio. This will be the 14th house if the idea can be materialise.

This year, the children attended to several sports’ competitions as well as academic ones. They brought with them some trophies and medals that made them very proud.
The dance practices continue at the village. With much enthusiasm, every weekend the children develop their skills in traditional and international dancing styles. During the week there were choir, guitar and harp lessons as well.

Moreover, the religious activities also took an important place in San Ignacio with the confirmations in the catholic faith, first communions and baptisms which the families and the children attended to.

In May we had the celebration of Mother’s Day. It constitutes a very special date both for the mothers and the children under their care. They like celebrating this day proudly with the confidence that they count with a mother to love and from whom to receive love. It is very nostalgic and moving for the mothers as well to see their children working hard to honor them. The youth group especially organized the whole village to serenade the mothers and perform some artistic presentations for them.

Also in May, the boys and girls dressed in their best school uniforms to parade around the city in the Independence Day. In this occasion, the children with the best grades marched holding the Paraguayan flag which is quite an honor and also a reward for their effort.

In June 23rd the village dressed up for a party on the SOS Children’s Villages Day. With songs and dances they looked back to see the long way they have walked and found new hope to keep moving forward.

Later, in August 16th the children had a fun party to celebrate their day, Children’s Day! In Paraguay, this day is commemorated in the name of the many children and adolescents who fought and died in the Acosta Ñú Battle during a big war in the country. The children were recruited and passed as men by the enemies. It is a reminder in a now democratic society that things like this should never happen again.

In September 21st, with the arrival of spring the youths celebrated their day; a rebirth of nature and renewal of spirits.

A great happening to tell was the participation of our SOS mothers and workers in the Global Peace Festival, which this year was held in Paraguay. A Paraguayan foundation working for the prevention against AIDS proposed a nomination for the SOS mothers. One SOS mother was recognized in the CULTURE OF GIVING, and was publicly honored. When she stood in front of the many attendants to the festival, she said that she received that recognition in the name of every SOS mother around the world.

Finally, we can mention as well a nice visit we received from the SOS Children President and the children and teenagers were very excited to meet him. They organised a mini festival to welcome him. The boys particularly this time showed their talent in the malambo dance. Two of the eldest mothers received a ring symbolising their commitment to the children, adolescent and the organisation. Everybody enjoyed the visit.

Children's health and education

Concerning the other SOS programmes located in San Ignacio, we can say that they continue providing a valuable service to the two villages in San Ignacio (Panambí for children with special needs and Kuarahy) as well as to the larger community (the whole town) there.

The Mother-Child Hospital has widening its attention this year. Besides the medical attention, birth deliveries and clinical studies, it has also made some significant advances in the field of social work and preventive medicine which are embedded within the Family Strengthening Programme goals.
There have been several talks organised at high schools to discuss issues like AIDS, Teen pregnancy, and other diseases of sexual transmission. The attendance was very positive and they believe it ill have an impact in the opinions and conduct of youths.

There have been as well workshops for mothers in the community and mothers who take their children to the SOS Nursery School to train them to provide a good health care to their children. There is a strong concern with preventing infant mortality, pregnant women deaths, or diseases that can be detected in time or that are related to hygiene and personal care.

In addition, the SOS Nursery School has become a centre of gathering for the community and not only the children. Parents have become more involved in their children’s activities and as it was mentioned before, they also receive some instructions in health care and nourishment.

We can say that one more year has passed, along with achievements, rewarding experiences, difficulties, newly found courage to keep on and joy above all: joy found in seeing children grow and developing within a sheltered environment considering the hazards and poverty many other homeless children are exposed to.

With your letters, contributions and kind thoughts you have made the day of many children out of the streets and into a warm home. Thank you very much!

We hope that you can have a peaceful and rejoicing Christmas in company of your family and beloved ones, as our children in the village will as well. In a time of giving, we wish that you can receive the same kind love you are granting our children!

Sincerely

Ricardo Careaga
Director SOS Children’s Village San Ignacio