SOS Children in Nicaragua

The economy, which was devastated during the 1980s by civil war, experienced a sharp growth in the 1990s but suffered another catastrophic blow in 1998 when Hurricane Mitch hit central Nicaragua. Over half the season's crops were destroyed and over 50 per cent of the country's lifestock lost, with agricultural land not expected to recover for at least five years.

We built a second Nicaraguan Village in 1979, to the west of Juigalpa, about 138 km north east of Managua. SOS Children's Village Juigalpa has ten family houses and an SOS Nursery, as well as a child day care centre similar to Esteli, for children of single mothers in the vicinity. We set up an SOS Medical Centre which provides treatment for children from the Village and the local community.

We completed a third Village at Managua in 1995. Situated in an attractive residential area in the north-west of the capital, it has 12 family houses built in the local style. Adjoining the Village and providing facilities for neighbourhood families as well as the SOS children are an SOS Nursery, a day care centre and an SOS Medical Centre. An SOS Primary and Secondary School were opened in 1999, with children in the primary school being taught in shifts.

SOS Children's Village Matagalpa opened in 2000. It is in central Nicaragua, in an area which was badly affected by Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The community consists of ten family houses, which provide a home for up to one hundred children, a house for the community Director, a guesthouse and an administrative building with a all-purpose community room. The SOS Social Centre includes a day care centre, a nursery, a library, classrooms for different workshops (computer, cosmetics, tailoring), a paediatric medical care centre and a dental practice.

Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in 1998, an emergency relief programme was set up in Leon. There is now an SOS Children’s Village at Leon which opened in 2004. There are a number family homes and a social centre, which provides child day-care and training workshops for the local community.

A sixth SOS Children's Village opened in Rivas in 2007. There are 14 family homes for 126 orphaned and abandoned children.

Lively teenagers from SOS Children's Village Leon discuss the subject of personal experiences and relationships with regard to successful learning within the home and at school.

What have you learnt in your SOS family?

'I've learnt many things. My SOS mother has taught me to be kind, amicable, supportive and to be nice to people. I have seen how she interacts with my brothers and sisters and with others, and how she expresses her feelings and her needs. I really admire her! I have also learnt to work as a team, as we all work together to ensure greater harmony at home.'

How have you learnt the values necessary to ensure greater harmony?

'I've learnt them in many ways, through integrating into my family's life and taking part in the daily household activities, because we all observe each other and, as such, are able to help each other out. I have learnt from the example my SOS mother sets and the advice she gives me. I have also learnt from the things I've done well and from my mistakes.'

How has your own learning experience been?

'Because my mother Eugenia helps me, it has been positive and at times easy. I feel that she helps me to think for myself and I can talk to her without feeling stifled because she tries to respect my decisions. This gives me greater confidence.'

What has been the hardest part for you in learning to live together in harmony?

'Well, because I have quite a strong character, sometimes the hardest thing has been accepting limits. This is because I don't feel that I can do what I want and sometimes think that my SOS mother should accept that I've grown up. However, when I discuss it with her, she talks about the importance of behaving responsibly and sensibly. The way in which she encourages me to be more tolerant makes me feel loved and protected, and this gives me the confidence to know what I should and shouldn't do.'

Do you think that creating values and rules is important for your life?

'Yes, it is important because it helps me to develop as a person and, thanks to my upbringing, I've been able to react well to the experiences I've had. I feel that I can be more confident, that my relationships have improved and that I've gained trust and respect from my family, friends and classmates.'

Managua   

Nicaragua

Fax: +505/22780686107

e-mail: sosnica@aldeasos.org.ni