Child sponsorship update from Córdoba, Argentina

Update for child sponsor's from the SOS Children's Village Córdoba, Argentina from Winter 2007.

Dear sponsor,

Again we are pleased to communicate with you; this year is near to end and we want to share the events of the familie´s everyday life at our SOS-Children´s Village in Córdoba with you. We feel happy to realize that there are many reminiscences and experiences nice to tell about, as achievements that sum up thanks also to your generous support.

Our SOS Children's Village in Córdoba is composed of 12 families totaling 115 boys, girls and youngsters. From them, 107 live at the Village and 8 of our adolescents integrate the SOS Girl´s Youth Facility. At the Village, 8 boys and girls assist to the Nursery School or pre-school; 58 boys and girls go to primary school; 40 adolescents to high school, and one 18-year old is working. At the Youth Facility, the young girls also go on with their secondary school studies and work.

The landscape around the Village is getting even prettier, the park is decorated with newly planted citrus- and fruit-trees, plants, roses and other flowers. The Village is a warm, inviting place, full of life; at the evenings the park filled with laughters, boys and girls playing around, and mothers and aunts sharing their “mate” (traditional tea) while chatting. They enjoy the green outings a lot, the new parkway throwing shade to the grill places, and tables, where at weekends the families gather to share “asados” (barbecue), “empanadas” (pasta squares filled with meat), “locros” (corn-based stew), “choripanes” (grilled sausage sandwich), as other local specialties. The playground and sandbox at the heart of the Village were extended to the amusement of our children; a beautiful wooden log court was built, with a tower to be reached over a hanging bridge or a tunnel, to come downwards then by the slide or a climbing a rope.

Growing up in Córdoba, Argentina

This year the boys and girls of the Village showed great results, certainly accompanied by their SOS-mothers, at their scholar achievements as also the first accomplishments of our youth which are building their life project to become independant. This very challenging stage in their life highlights the experience they are enjoying and building while living at the SOS Girl's Community. They are eight young girls, who grew up at the Village, and now give an opportunity to the newly formed SOS Youth House. They took the neccessary steps caring about their life projects, reaching their goals regarding studies, and their social- and sentimental relationships, hereby assisted by their SOS-families and the whole Village´s community.

The year 2007 started with summer vacations; sun, warm weather, the river and the mountains, swimming pool, summer camps, campfires, strolls and trekking, new friendships, all anecdotic memories to the boys and girls who enjoyed this fabulous times. Some families travelled to other provinces, where their SOS-mom's are from; and came back with great moments and new experiences, like going by long-distance buses, more than 12 hours and with food service and movies on board. They also remember the evenings at the river's coastline, swimming until sundown and having their snack there.

The youth also had their summer camps, an adding experience to everyone, for the accompanying adults as for the adolescents themselves. These warm days were enjoyed at the river or the swimming pool, and by nights campfires, songs, strolls, and games were arranged, all in great amusement. Being the last day of summer camp, night began with the campfire, and while everybody was chatting and singing or dancing around the fire, a group disappeared and in complicity with one SOS-aunt, came up performing a runway-show, imitating and singing and laughing around. Later they went to the central park of Unquillo, nice little town sorrounded by the sierras, where a band was performing, also a salsa-group, and much fun people around. Some even got on the stage and danced, laughing all time and got T-Shirts as a reward.

By March, school began again; some of the little ones wearing their pinafores for the first time. By the hand of their mothers and brothers and sisters, they started first day at the SOS Nursery School. Others, a little older, excitedly started their first grade, in their new white uniforms, emotioning their mothers and aunts. The adolescents also showed their academic outfits, enthusiastic about seeing their schoolmates and early loves again.

Events and activities at Córdoba, Argentina

By April, during the Easter holidays, twelve children got to know the Ocean. They travelled 1.200 Km to the southern coast at the Argentine Patagonia. There, they could end the summer, plunging into the sea at one of the warmest beaches of the Argentine coast; see the harbour, the ships and know the secrets of the grotto´s at this wonderful site; Nadia, at her twelve, finally got to know the sea. Those little vacations seemed unforgettable to her, and -as she tells “together with Day, Caye, Gustavo, Yanina, Brenda and Jonha, we got ever deeper into the caves, and took many pictures; and suddenly Brenda slipped because of the moss at the stones, and we couldn´t stop laughing !!!! Then, Caye started screaming between laughter and nerves, that the high tide was entering the grotto. We climbed to exit the caves, and began to run, splashing in the low waters among waves. The sea is deep, amazing, I would have never imagined it this way !!!! It was an a fantastic gift to get to know this place !!!!”.

The 1st. of May, Labours-Day festivity, starting very early in the morning, all the SOS-mothers and aunts and the Village´s Director, uncle Rubén, prepared a big “locro”. This meal was shared together by all families and friends of the Village, having lunch under the parkway shadow. The big, familiar and joyful party on a huge long table, lasted until the evening, and everyone had much fun.

Also in May the inauguration of the SOS Girl´s Youth House took place. The opening words and welcome greetings addressed by our Village´s Director were quite emotive, everybody felt involved and represented at this moment: “…Today we are seized with deep gladness, and I would like to share this joy with all of you. Gladness, for having reached the point in SOS-Children´s Village, where those boys and girls, a long time ago admitted to the families of the Village now, after several years, find themselves able to start a new stage in their lives: towards independancy”.

“Devoted to the mission of assisting boys and girls to build and shape their future, the opening of this place to a group of young ladies to move into, has a deep significance having reached a goal; each one of the girls which today takes part at this experience had to cover a long way filled with obstacles and grievousness, bad experiences beginning with their entry to this life. Nevertheless, today they are full of hope and projects for their future, and have shown that even under the worst circumstances it is possible to emerge and to highlight learnings, wisdom which no doubt will strengthen and escort them at each step of their existence…”. This was a long term expected moment for everyone; finally after much work and planning, the day arrived. Today this Community stands upright, with the group of young ladies which are fully preparing for life, without leaving behind their personal dreams.

By the end of May, we had the baptism of five biological siblings, who arrived at their new SOS family by November, 2006; where already their other five older biological siblings are living. The biological parents also attended this great celebration, the ten siblings together with their SOS-mom being the hosts.

Celebrating events in Córdoba, Argentina

By June, a group of young university students visited the Village, in the means of a student exchange program. Two meetings were hold, sharing lunch with tasty “empanadas” among the plantation of fruit- and citrus-trees, everybody had a great time.

The 9th of July we had snow at some places in Argentina, and in Córdoba the children enjoyed to see this sensational event; they played around, took lots of pictures, and even built snowmen, - they were overwhelmed, laughing and playing around, by this unique experience. Then, winter vacations started, and the children relaxed with their families along two weeks; some families went to the city of Villa Carlos Paz, others stayed home enjoying walks, the movies, the Zoo, the Museum of Natural Sciences, sharing popcorn and movies all together at home.

In August, during tree Sundays, the boys and girls had their “Children´s Day” festivity. First, they were treated by a group of young neighbors, a nice party with games, hot chocolate, and cakes. The second Sunday, the SOS moms and -aunts celebrated Children´s Day with all boys and girls, playing, had great fun and lots of cakes. At the last Sunday, the children of the Village were delighted by the treat of the local gas-providing company; a big celebration, with specially dressed waiters offering hot chocolate, sweeties and cakes; shows with the Pink Panther, Frutillitas, Spiderman and other famous characters and superheroes, strolling around the park and involving the children in their play. Then, the clown “Poca Sopa” offered his show, fascinating the children and getting warm applause, yellings and laughters from the younger and the older ones.

Beginning of spring in September was also celebrated at the Village with a big “choripaneada”, icecream, lots of games and good music. Although the day came up somehow cloudy, laughter and fun seemed to turn the sky blue. During this month, each family renews their gardens, shovels the soils, and embellishes the entrances to their houses planting little trees, plants and flowers. Everybody helps to do the garden, to beautify the Village even more.

There were even more celebrations at the Village, and many emotive welcomings to newcoming boys and girls along this year: by April, Paula (10), Lucas(8) and Paloma (5) arrived to the family of Mom Teresita; by May, Valeria (5) came to live together with her seven siblings after many years; by June, three sisters came to live at the family of Mom Marina; in July Santiago (11) and Maximiliano (6) arrived to live with Mom Ana; in September, Clara (2) got to live with the family of Mom Fabiana, also Paulo (5) came in to live with Mom Lucía; and Lisandro (5) and Laureana (7) came in to live with their Mom Claudia and their other siblings.

We just want to share a couple of experienced moments, as of course transmit our deepest acknowledgement to every person, which like you, goes along with us and assist us to accomplish these day-to-day duties, some times seeming hard but filling and healing our souls. Thank you once more for your noble contribution to the welfare of our children, and that they can grow up with security, confidence, care and love.

We wish you a merry Christmas, within your loved ones, and that the New Year may bless your life, very happy 2008! With best wishes to you and your family.

Sincerely yours,

Claudia Kurz
Sponsor Adviser