Boy trying to take pasta out of pot - CV…
The communal spaces are converted into houses or homes, where some communal mothers in need take care of children, respecting and inculcating their cultural values and traditions on a daily basis.
- Lisa
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Boy trying to take pasta out of pot - CV Cochabamba, Bolivia
The communal spaces are converted into houses or homes, where some communal mothers in need take care of children, respecting and inculcating their cultural values and traditions on a daily basis.
The "SOS Communal Houses" in Bolivia Summary of Tasks and Achievements 2005
Integral protection and development of children (Children under six years of age)
Protection and daily care
Children under six years of age need security and daily care of quality within the coziness of a house for eight hours per day. The parents are supported in the transaction of receiving birth certificates for their children in order for them to have the right of citizenship. Permanent formation and training with regard to the rights of children are also implemented.
Preventive health
This includes: The application of public policies of health through the SUMI (Universal Security for Children and Mothers) for children under five years of age. The training of children and their parents on preventive health care. The creation of surgical medicine support nets in the community.
Nourishment
Children receive three daily meals with no less than 80% of nutritive requirements on a daily basis by way of standardized menus. Selected mothers are trained in culinary arts and cooking so that they can optimize their meals, which are basically prepared with local products. Children receive monthly controls of weight and height.
It also includes: The identification and follow up of cases of malnutrition The training of parents with regard to nutrition and nutritive cuisine.
Integral initial education
It comprises: A follow up and control of children's educational growth. Integral education, timely stimulation, Montessori, learning corners, and complementary programs. The identification, treatment, and follow up of children with learning problems. The promotion, formation, and training of children with regard to their rights.
Development and empowerment of women for the goodwill of their children
This involves:
Women's human development
Training and education on issues such as self-esteem, literacy development, the rights of women, gender and equity, intra-familiar violence and leadership. Formation for the defense of women's human rights. Development of strategies for group and co-operative work and solidarity development within the groups.
Promotion and prevention of women's health
Implementation of public health policies oriented towards women. Information and training of women on sexual and reproductive health: sexual rights, safe maternity, early detection of uterus and mamma cancer and particular women's sicknesses.
Labor formation and economic development
Technical development in a variety of occupations and consciousness-raising on labor rights. Training on the opening of small businesses and access to credit.
Development and empowerment of vulnerable families for the goodwill of their children
It involves
Legal family orientation and support
Reference and counter-reference in the case of intra-familiar violence. Legal orientation for family assistance, child recognition, personal documentation of the mother and the child. Citizenship rights of the family.
Families experiencing a life of quality
Training, support, and follow up in the development of family supervision projects (relationship improvement, housing, income, etc.).
Support and follow up of projects on family life
Development and empowerment of the community oriented to reinforce the protection of children
Processes of community organization
Training (and follow up) for the application of strategies of co-responsibility. Creation of "SOS Family Committees". Opening of "SOS Communal Houses".
Formation of leaders on children's rights
Processes of consciousness-raising and promotion of children abandonment prevention in the community. Training in children's and women's rights. Creation of nets for the protection and defence of children and women.
Formation of leaders in citizenship rights
Training of leaders - giving priority to women -, approaching topics of leadership, equity and gender, popular participation, conflicts resolution, and group work development
Some statistics
COMMUNAL MOTHERS PER REGION REGION "SOS Communal House" SOS Social Center Communal center Women trained for cooking TOTAL Cochabamba 94 8 1 43 146 El Alto 89 5 4 28 126 La Paz 11 2 0 12 25 Oruro 28 4 0 25 57 Potosí 92 6 1 32 131 Santa Cruz 136 8 5 47 196 Sucre 33 9 9 11 62 Tarija 108 7 2 91 208 TOTAL 591 49 22 289 951
REGION FAMILIES FAMILY COMMTTEES CHILDREN LA PAZ 54 10 221 EL ALTO 696 28 917 ORURO 590 35 669 POTOSÍ 527 31 855 COCHABAMBA 989 42 1227 SUCRE 157 11 227 TARIJA 1141 49 1832 SANTA CRUZ 757 27 1155 TOTAL 4911 233 7103
- Mary
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Boy smiling while drinking at breakfast - CV Valmiera Latvia
Easter Rabbits Surprised Kids
SOS Children's Village Islice in Latvia celebrated Easter with festivities through three days.
The preparations for Easter started already a week before the festivities with all the families in the village decorating their home. Children also decorated the Kindergarten hall - where they celebrated Easter. The adornments were traditional: coloured eggs, rabbits, chickens and willow branches.
On Saturday, April 10, afternoon, SOS mothers together with the children boiled eggs in a natural liquid - made from herbs. During the night, when the babies slept, SOS mother Inga prepared the special surprise for the next morning.
She coloured other eggs and hided them outside. On Easter morning when the babies woke up, they went to search the hidden eggs, which were, according to their belief and knowledge, brought by an Easter rabbit during the night.
"I made a special dinner, but I think that Easter is not a festivity, which demand presents for the children. I strongly believe that it is not acceptable according to the ancient Latvian traditions. Coloured eggs and sweets and the special aura is special enough," she said.
The older kids who pretended to be the Easter rabbits happily surprised little children.
Later on that day there were Easter activities in the village: special contests, fighting with eggs and disco for everybody and theatre for little babies. For the older children there was a pop music show, where twelve children sang the songs, both Latvian and foreign pop music songs.
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