Sponsor's update from Chiloe Ancud, Chile

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Chiloe Ancud, Chile from Winter 2008.

Dear Sponsors and Friends,

We are already in November, and like in the previous years, there are many things to tell. At present, in the SOS Children's Village, there are living 105 boys and girls and we expect the arrival of another little boy in December. We want to emphasize the arrival of new children; what surprises are their easy and quick adaptation and the welcome that 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 children, despite their short ages, have already lived in different places. They arrive fearful and distrustful and this welcome makes them easier the first day.

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.

In May, mothers receive compensation: children are in charge of organising with a big enthusiasm the Mother’s Day celebration, which begins with flowers and a special breakfast for each mother and their children and it finishes in the evening with the all children participating, in the common room, with small theatre and dance performances and poetries. Mothers, children and the audience end up very moved.

Other initiative youngsters and children organised this year, on their own, was the National Party celebration in September, occasion where our folklore group, integrated by 16 children, showed off. Jorge is a boy who stands out inside the group and even in regional contests. Thank to a special fund the Government provides, this group is still rehearsing and improving itself.

During the celebration and with a big enthusiasm, children worn our typical clothes, danced and enjoyed traditional games, even the sun was present, so the activities were be able to carry out outside.

By the way, all Saturdays, a group of youngsters are in charge of pruning the grass and make gardens more beautiful. This year, it was necessary once again to paint houses since the weather, as you know, is very aggressive and it rains a lot.

Children growing up at Chiloe Ancud, Chile

Mothers, at the same time, prepared the Child’s celebration in August; taking away some minutes of their busy days. They made puppets and dolls for a theatre performance which, both children and youngsters enjoyed enormously. Of course, there were exquisite home-made cookies and cakes.

With pleasure we can tell you that Mauricio, who participated last year in a young people encounter that our President executes every year, is finishing the Technical High School this year and as soon as he finishes his professional training, he will receive a certificate of Technical Electrician. However, he expects to continue his Electricity studies in a superior Institute in Puerto Montt, allowing him to count with better labor opportunities in the future. Mauricio has stood out as a leader at the school, and as a volunteer in the Fireman Department. When he is in Puerto Montt, he will be still supported by the Village and he will live in the house of his religious confirmation godparents. He is very happy with this option. All of us are waiting for the ending of the school year. Mauricio is the first young of our Village that is going to celebrate studies’ ending.

Boys and girls must count with spaces fulfilling their real cultural and sport needs of development and with activities outside of the Village. For this reason, this year we have incorporated to the previous activities; dance and guitar workshops and some children attend a group dedicated to promote Children’s Rights. To participate in these activities, children must integrate diverse existing groups of the community. Spontaneously, children and youngsters of the Village offered to collaborate with those people affected by the earthquake produced in a Chaiten’s nearby town. This town must be rebuilt totally. This catastrophe was produced by the Chaitén Volcano’s eruption, this town is not very close to Chiloé, but anyway we could see a big cloud of toxic sediment.

We are close to the end of the year, so we focus in the ending of the school year and the proximity of Christmas, 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.

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,

Osvaldo Salazar Salazar
Director SOS Children’s Village Chiloé