Sonia Maria Sanchez grew up in the SOS Children's Village…

Sonia Maria Sanchez grew up in the SOS Children's Village Estelí, Nicaragua in Central America.

Now she works at the Social Centre Estelí Este supporting young children she can empathise with.

I thought this was a nice story to start this blog with, as it shows a couple of different aspects of the charity. First there is life in an SOS Village and then later, when Sonia grows up, what it is like in an SOS social center.

Here is Sonia's story, in her own words.

"I grew up at SOS Children's Village Estelí; I was there for almost twelve years - from 4 to 16. I loved living in this village where I learnt many things I consider very important for my personal development. For example, I learnt sewing, typing, dancing, and I was a keen sportswoman; I even was on a basketball team.

There were many pleasant experiences, such as my graduation at 6th grade and my wonderful 15th birthday party. Those days will always be on my mind.

At the age of 16, however, I fell in love with a boy. Only a few months into our relationship, I got pregnant, so I decided to move out of the village so I could live with him. First, I gave birth to my daughter Alison, and three years later, I had my son Eli.

For reasons not relevant here, I had to separate from the father of my children when Eli was still a baby. I was faced with a terribly difficult situation. I left the home we had and started looking around for work.

I found a job as a member of staff in a wealthy home. I could stay there with my children. But I could not properly care for the children while I was working, so, I decided to place them with a day-care centre. I thought of the SOS Social Centre first.

There, I met Emma, a co-worker who frequently invited me to attend self-esteem seminars. One day, when Emma had actually earned my trust, I asked her if I could, in view of my situation as a single mother, join the 'mother scholarship programme'.

Fortunately, she accepted. During the following six-month training period I learned, among other things, to cook good nutritional food and I also took part in self-esteem seminars that changed my whole life in such an incredible way.Especially it made me think about my role models, as a mother.

Completing initial training, I was employed as a community educator in February 2007. I was assigned to the community home "El Pinolerito", located four blocks from SOS Children's Village Estelí.

The children at the community home love me and I love them; I love to pass on what I know and I love watching them learn.

I am very grateful to the co-workers of SOS Children's Village Estelí and SOS Social Centre Estelí Este for so much moral and financial support I received from them. I don't know where my family would be without them.

I now have a partner who loves me. This time, the understanding and support is there.

Thanks to the backing provided by my husband and the social centre, I'm about to take up psychology studies at the university."