Sponsor's update from Panambí, Paraguay

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Panambí, Paraguay from Summer 2008.

The flapping of a butterfly’s wings can be felt all along the other side of the World; it is a Chinese proverb that very much applies to your relationship with the SOS Children’s Village in Panambí and in a larger effect to our society. Your kind contribution, even though from distance, is certainly influential to our children’s development and well being. We are honoured to have the opportunity to write you and report some events, progresses in the Panambí village, nice stories about the children and adolescents, as well as their achievements and future goals up to the mid year. It is impressive how fast time goes by; suddenly we are entering the second half of the year and children already look older!

Furthermore, the village community continues its endeavor to strengthen social ties among the families, children and adolescents. It has been a good first semester with changes and new adjustments that characterize the Panambí village’s growth.

The SOS Children’s Village Panambí is formed by 42 children and adolescents and since this year 2 youngsters under the Assisted Living Programme, where they live outside the village but still receive financial support from the organisation and specially guidance and support from their mothers and Youth Department. The latter is quite an achievement; few are the children living in Panambí who have the opportunity to live more independently, as most of them need constantly care from their mothers. This is the reason why all the mothers and the village workers encourage Edgar to keep working hard. He is now in the first year of Law School, at the State University, located 30 kilometers away from the village. He passed the entrance exam required at the university and the first months of classes, he traveled from the village to the university by bus everyday. Nevertheless, he is now living at a rented house. He is among the top 5 students of his class. After many obstacles overcame and struggles that along the way made his goal more difficult to achieve, he is now moving forward and quite successfully. He is aware that there might be still many other hills to climb and go through, but his determination and the support of his family makes him stronger.

Children growing up at Panambí, Paraguay

Furthermore, at the village the children are developing and progressing according to their capabilities. Besides the tender and specialised care they receive from their SOS mothers, they also attend to Physical therapy, which includes many types, depending on each child’s needs, and Occupational therapy as well. It is the latter which presents changes from last year. There is a new person directing it, called Maximiliana, who with Don Juan have been working with the children and adolescents to enhance and make the vegetable garden more beautiful and productive. It has a larger range of products than last year. The vegetable garden is divided in patches, and each one now counts with a wooden board with the name of the person responsible to take care of it. Therefore, the children have a schedule, and they have learnt to be responsible in complying with it. They know when they have to take a look and when to work on it, watering, cleaning and planting the vegetables. The tasks make them fell active participants of the projects, and knowing their patch is growing good and healthy vegetables thanks to their work is something they feel very proud of.

Some of the children’s health is fragile and they required more care than others. Nevertheless, complications sometimes occur and they need medical attention in order to get well. So far this year there were 2 special cases. One is Sergio’s relapse since he has a heart disease. Nevertheless he received the required medical treatment and is progressing well. Eduardo also had to get a small surgery due to high eye blood pressure which was bothering him very much. Currently, gladly, his pressure is under control and he is doing much better. Everybody is happy that they are both getting stronger every day.

On May, a very significant event took place at the village. Three new SOS mothers were recognised and officially welcomed at the village, even though they had been working, helping and learning how to deal and give love to the children before. They had finished their training and the occasion brought some tears of joy to everyone’s eyes. The children and adolescents carried out an emotional act to honor these mothers and the other mothers as well since it was Mothers’ day also.

Furthermore, another nice date was June 23, where we remembered the SOS Children’s Villages anniversary. As is usual, the Panambí and the neighbor village in San Ignacio, better known as Kuarahy Memby, organised a joint activity whit traditional meals, dancing and games.

Finally, a group of children have done their First Communion, and 2 adolescents had their confirmation in the catholic faith. After the events, the families had a gathering to celebrate in company of the church community.

In general the village is moving forward one day at a time. We are deeply thankful for all your help and loyal contribution to the achievement of our objectives, the development of our children and their happiness because they are blessed with a congenial and loving family context to grow in.

Sincerely,

Celia Etchegaray
Director, SOS Children’s Village Panambí