Sponsor's update from Arica, Chile

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Arica, Chile from Winter 2008.

Dear Sponsors and Friends,

We are already in November and, as well as previous years there are many things to tell. As you know, our SOS Village is in Arica, in Chile’s north extreme, which is known as “the eternal spring city” because of its nice weather and excellent beaches that can be enjoyed during the whole year. There are 2.050 kilometers from Santiago and the population is 185.268 inhabitants. Arica is surrounded by Pacific Ocean, Atacama Desert and two valleys; Azapa and Lluta, and the nearby Tacna (Peru) from 40 kilometers approximately.

Last summer vacation (January and February), families went to Azapa Valley and to the beach. Other families traveled to La Serena and others to Iquique (other cities in the north). Besides, some children visited their biological families. Most of children participated on camps where sport and scout activities were developed mainly.

At present, there are living in our SOS Village, 127 children, whom 59 are boys and 68 girls. Village counts with 14 family houses, 13 in the village and 1 external.

This year, in our village there has been a big new children’s demand because of the high unemployment level and because of its geopolitical location what is explained in the entry of illegal Peruvian and Bolivian workers, drugs traffic and most of their children are victims of this kind of system and need protection of organisations like SOS Children.

The most surprising when children arrive is their easy adaptation and the welcome the whole family prepares: each mother and all brothers and sisters do their best decorating their new bedrooms, choosing a nice present and preparing delicious things to eat for this special occasion. Many of them, despite to be very young have already lived in different places. They arrive fearful and distrustful and this welcome makes them easier the first day.

Children growing up at Arica, Chile

Our mothers – and oldest brothers and sisters collaborate with this – they have the arduous mission of reeducating, instilling and forming habits for them, beginning for the cleanliness, regulating sleep hours, meals, study schedules, etc. And, at the same time many children learn to enjoy happily, for the first time, games corresponding to their ages.

Children and youngsters must count with spaces fulfilling their real cultural and sport needs of development and with activities outside of the School. Is for this reason that we have given once again big importance to all kind of extra school activities and workshops where children and youngsters can discover new talents and skills, being very important for their healthy development.

Thanks to an agreement with Chile Deportes (a Government Organism) there have been generated and promoted sports and activities like baby football, aerobics, basketball, swimming (in the Olympic swimming pool of the city) and finally the surfing school that is carried out all years in one of the best beaches for this sport.

Besides, we highlight the participation of children and teens in a Village’s audiovisual workshop. Children have created with big enthusiasm, creativity, personality and imagination, a TV program called “CACHIVACHE”. This programme is broadcasted in the local channel (Arica TV) on Saturdays and Sundays and our little artists are enjoying their “glorious moments”.

Events at Arica, Chile

We are close to the end of the year, and we focus in the ending of the school year. In general, children and youngsters with good grades have got diverse scholarships covering, in part, their school expenses.

We also want to emphasize youngsters who count with scholarship to study at the University or Institute: Blanca; Commercial Engineering, Lucía; Physical Therapy, Fany; English Pedagogy, Loandra; Kindergarten Teacher, and Rita and Mary Juana study in an Institute; Computing and Risk Management Expert.

We have worked with some Universities and with a Technical Institute called Inacap that have contributed with more than 14 future professionals to cooperate actively with us, trough different workshops, supporting children and youngsters, SOS mothers and aunts.

During November, our children and youngsters participated in a big Children’s Rights Campaign and two youngsters represented our Village in Santiago, participating in a national encounter and visiting diverse authorities like ministers and parliamentarians.

And once again, Christmas is coming, occasion where children and adults decorate their houses with big enthusiasm, from the Christmas tree to the crib, in which, by tradition the youngest boy or girl of the house put the figure of Jesus baby after the midnight of 24th. The youngest children look forward the Santa Claus’ arrival, who never disappoints them and despite the heat (in December is summer) he arrives with his long white beard and warm red suit, bringing a big bag filled with candies and presents.

Dear friends and sponsors, in this moment when the financial crisis is affecting us in one way or another, we thank and value your help and wish you a beautiful celebration together with your family and a good year 2009.

Yours cordially,

Álvaro Vásquez
Director SOS Children’s Village Arica.