Field report from León, Nicaragua

Edda Montes has much to say about the SOS Children's Village family strengthening programs in León,
Nicaragua.

I Can Work and See My Daughters

Edda Montes has much to say about the SOS Family Strengthening Programmes in León, Nicaragua. She was granted a "scholarship" to participate in these programs, which means that her children will be taken care of, at the same time that she actively participates in child-care as well.

My name is Edda Margarita Montes, and I have a "scholarship". I have two little girls who attend the "SOS programme". I am 21 years old.

Before getting this scholarship, I didn't have a good life because my stepfather used to kick me out of my house. He used to tell me that I was a no-good, that if I left my mother, I and my girls would starve. I only cried because I didn't have a well-paid job or a place where my children were accepted.

Sometimes we spent weeks without food; my girls could only drink a small glass of water and cry. I felt really bad. Sometimes I would go to the other houses, and the neighbors would ask me to take care of their children; in exchange they would give us food. As long as my girls could eat, I would do anything they said.

Afterwards, I decided to go again to my mother, even if that meant that my stepfather would kick me out again. Crying, my mother told me to only come to wash the glasses and cans she picked up from the garbage dump. She would send us food to my neighbors' homes; otherwise, my stepfather would maltreat me more. After washing cans for my mother, I would go wash clothes at about 5 pm, and I stopped at about 8 pm. Sometimes I would go to the garbage dump to look for something to eat.

One day some SOS Social Centre workers came to interview me. At the beginning I didn't believe anything they said, but I decided to inscribe my daughters. One month later, one of them was accepted. I felt truly happy because one of my girls is behind on her development, and they said there were psychologists, pedagogues and well-trained personnel who would tend to the children. Later, my younger daughter was accepted as well. I was very thankful to God for this opportunity. After those hungry and disgraceful months, I could say that I wouldn't repeat that situation.

One educator asked me if I was interested in a scholarship, that with it, I would have the opportunity to work and see my daughters. They explained to me that it was only a scholarship. I said I would begin on 10 January. So far, they have helped me personally, as I used to be a very bitter woman who didn't speak with anyone, who was defensive about everything, but above all, I was angry and serious to everyone.

My life radically changed in all manners possible. They helped me with my older daughter's problem. She is now in treatment. And I, Edda Margarita Montes, started to change and think that not everyone is bad. I started to behave friendlier, and I became a good co-worker at my job. The daily lectures have been really helpful, I always listened and appreciated the co-workers' work.

Thank you,
Edda Margarita Montes

This article written by Edda Margarita Montes, mother benefiting from the SOS Children's Village family strengthening programs in Leon, Nicaragua.

SOS Children has been working in Nicaragua since 1973 when the first SOS Children's Village opened at Esteli. Further children's villages give a family for life to around 600 children at Juigalpa, León, Managua, Matagalpa and Rivas. The SOS Family Strengthening Programme at León provides practical support to more than 800 children and their families. The community project includes day care, training workshops, health counselling and training for income generating projects for families.

You can support children at León and elsewhere by sponsoring a child from Nicaragua.