Sponsor's update from Los Aromos, Chile

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Los Aromos, 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. We want to emphasize the new 16 children’s arrival to our Village, some very small. The most surprising 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.

At present, there are living 112 children and youngsters in the 12 families composing our SOS Children’s Village.

Our mothers - and oldest brothers and sisters collaborate with this - they have the arduous mission of re-educating, 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.

SOS Mothers, constantly have the possibility to take courses and workshops, mainly in our Vocational Training Center, supporting their complex and arduous work. The oldest ones share their experiences, and all learn techniques to manage different situations they must to face, and at the same time they renew their commitment with this beautiful but sometimes difficult task.

Some of our children, still very young, came back to live with their biological families, after a long process of approaching, which was difficult to assume for their Village’s mothers, with whom they for the first time felt love and received necessary cares for their development. But at the same time we are glad to see how their families are in conditions to assume the responsibility for these children can grow together their biological family.

As always, we celebrate a new Village’s Anniversary that is already 30 years. Children prepared beautiful things regarding to their life in the Village and the life of our founder Hermann Gmeiner. They had a nice tea time filled with cakes and candies, after reflecting about the importance of that day.

Boys and girls must count with spaces fulfilling their real cultural and sport needs of development and with activities outside of the School.

During this year, a group of teens had the opportunity to participate in a personal development workshop; important for this stage of their lives. Then, the smallest ones were invited to visit The Buinzoo, a Zoo where they can interact with animals. A guide organised very interesting activities. Like the oldest ones have other interests, were in group to play Bowling and had some food in the Commercial Centre.

Children growing up at Los Aromos, Chile

Children are always participating on cultural and sport activities both at school and sport organisms, highlighting their participation on Football Schools, mainly in the team “Rosario Central”. By the way, twice our children have been invited to watch our National Football Team’s matches in the National Stadium, they have returned very happy, since in those two opportunities - Chile/Perú and Chile/Colombia - Chilean Team has won.

Recently, the coach of Chilean Football Team; Marcelo Bielsa, visited our Village and had lunch with youngsters of the Youth Facility. He was amazed with our work and invited us for next events of our Football Team, well-known as “La Roja” (because of the uniform color).

In October, the Chilean Chef Association, organised a big tea time for children, mothers and aunts, who enjoyed a nice afternoon eating delicious donuts, sandwiches, soft drinks and milks elaborated by themselves, besides children were entertained by these guys who worn costumes. One of the most Chilean chefs is Coco Pacheco, who is SOS friend from several years ago.

We are close to the end of the year, so we focus in the ending of the school year and with proud we can tell you some youngsters are finishing their academic processes: Israel and José, both Audiovisual Communicators, count with good jobs and are already independent.

In Youth Facility, Juan Pablo is leaving us soon, since he studied Gastronomy and is working now with good results in a bakery. Youngsters miss their delicious meals and experiments. Not all are enthusiast with cuisine. Christofer, Rodrigo and Fabian are still at High School, like they are very interested in music and sports, are still defining what to study. Manuel finishes High School this year and wishes to study Gastronomy.

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 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,

Víctor Oviedo Rivera
Director SOS Children’s Village Los Aromos.