A new Family Strengthening Programme in Argentina

Lidia is a single mother who has six small children. She has been living on her own in Mr del Plata, Argentina, for years and has faced a whole host of social and economic problems. Today, though, thanks to a new SOS Family Strengthening Programme, a different future is unfolding for her and her children.

Before she came across SOS Children's Villages, Lidia worked long hours at a farm and earned so little that she couldn't even feed herself. Because of her work, her children were more or less left to their own devices during the day. They would see each other at night. One day, though, she came across SOS Communal Centre 'El sueño del pibe' (The child's dream) that had recently opened. As she got to know what SOS Children's Villages was and the support she might get, she asked if she could receive help. Yet the centre was quite far from her home, so it was very difficult for her to take her children there. A few months later, however, she was invited to help out at a new 'SOS Communal House' to be opened at the home of her neighbour, Mabel, in Villa del Parque, right where she lives. They both liked the idea and the brand new SOS Children's Village facility was born. The programme services comprise support in the areas of the development of children, women, family and the communities in which SOS Children's Villages works with communities and local partners in supporting disadvantaged families. The Family Strengthening Programmes are aimed at addressing the particular needs of special local target groups such as single mothers, families affected by HIV/AIDS or families with financial problems that are often linked to addiction, illness and exclusion. The families that are participating are organized into family committees that run community homes and child-minding centres in community spaces. These community homes and centres are self-organized and SOS Children's Villages provides training and capacity building.

Lidia and Mabel named the new Family Strengthening Programme "Las Tortuguitas" (The lovely turtles). Soon, both women learned to help other families with similar problems. Las Tortuguitas is now well-recognized within the community. The situation of Lidia's children is also different now. Five-year-old Lautaro had a problem with one of his hands, and Lidia was afraid of him getting surgery, but an SOS staff member talked to her, gave her additional information on the operation and support, and Lidia finally recognised that surgery was the best thing for little Lautaro. Her son was treated a few months ago and is now doing perfectly well. Similarly, her other children are also well. Nine-year-old Rocio was underweight, but she is now quite healthy and 13-year-old Vanesa didn't have an identification card, but she has one now.

Thanks to the support of the Family Strengthening Programme Lidia is now able to take care of her family.