As I have told you before, within the social aspects of this trip through the Americas is the mission to promote the work done by SOS-Children’s Villages throughout the world. On November 30th, 2007 I arrived to the Village in Tijuana, Mexico. I just crossed the border from the US and the reception was so warm that they didn’t have to insist much so I could stay an extra day with them. With their director, Luis Manuel Reza Maqueo and his assistant Aida Villagran, I had the opportunity to closely learn about their activities and how this institution works in these latitudes.

What are exactly SOS-Children’s Villages and what do they do?

SOS-Children’s Villages is an international organization of private assistance, for non-profit, laic and apolitical, that has as its principal objective the formation of families for children that had lost their parent’s protection, inserting them in a place that allow them to develop a normal life, to establish lasting emotional links and the possibility to independently be happy, successful and community oriented people.  

It acts as an independent non-governmental organization for social development, respecting the different religions and cultures, and working in countries and communities where their mission can add to the development. It works according to the spirit of the United Nations Conventions on Children’s Rights and they promote those rights at every moment.  

Let’s go back in history…

The origins of this institution go back to the times of the II World War. The destruction caused by the war left hundred of children without a home or a family. Confusion, discontent and desperation reigned in the bombed ruins and in the communal places destined to harbor millions of refugees.

In this dramatic context, a group of young volunteers founded in Austria the organization called Children’s Villages with the goal of finding a solution to the abandoned children. The group adopted the acronym SOS, from the English phrase “Save Our Souls” that coincidentally with the international rescue signal, calls for help.

The group was headed by the medicinal student Hermann Gmeiner, member of a large farming family and who has suffered his mother’s death when he was 5 years old and had to be taken care of by his older sister Elsa Gmeiner. That experience left him with the conviction that the place of a missing mother could be taken by a loving person that would assume that responsibility. 

Within his social circle, Gmeiner observed a particular situation: on one hand, a great number of children needing protection and security, and on the other hand, hundred of women that were alone after losing their husbands and sons in the battle fields. That observation coupled to his personal history generated a vision: to transform the loneliness of these women in a social maternity, joining them with children that needed a mother in a community of foster families. 

The first SOS-Children’s Village was founded in Imst, Austria, in 1949. In the beginnings, it was welcomed with distrust from the people, but little by little it gained the support of many people that gave them small donations. In a few years, the effort was fruitful and the SOS-Children’s Villages expanded all over the world.

Dr. Hermann Gmeiner passed away on April 26, 1986 and his successor, Helmunt Kutin, actual president of the International Federations of Children Villages, grew up and was raised in one of the families of the SOS-Children’s Village in Imst.

Since 1995 SOS-Children’s Villages is member of the UN, under the NGO category in consultative status (Category II) with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations”.  

In 2002, SOS_ Children’s Villages was distinguished with the worldwide famous “Humanitarian Award Conrad N. Milton” for contributing in an extraordinary way to alleviate human suffering.

Now there are 452 Children’s Villages in 132 countries, serving more than 55,000 children and young adults. The also help people outside the villages, in schools, social centers, medical centers and through emergency programs SOS. 
 
The Action Principles 

The concept of SOS-Children’s Villages is based in four main action principles:

The Mother: the mothers establish a close relationship with every child that they are entrusted with, guiding their development and giving them the love and stability that each of them need. As a family head, she supervises her own budget and manages the home in an independent way.

Brothers and Sisters: Children of different ages that live together as brothers and sisters. The family ties develop naturally and biological siblings are kept within the same SOS family. In average, there are 8 to 9 children in every SOS family.

The House: the house is the family’s home, with its own characteristics, rhythm and routine. Under that roof a true feeling of security and belonging is enjoyed. Children grow up and learn together, sharing responsibilities, joys and penuries of everyday life.

The Village: a typical SOS-Children’s Village is made up by 10 to 15 houses. The families create a supportive atmosphere where the children can enjoy a dignified and happy life. The living conditions of the SOS families is similar to the local conditions, the children go to nearby schools and learn to actively participate in society.

The SOS-Children’s Villages in Mexico

SOS-Children’s Villages Mexico was founded in 1967 by Dr Manuel Mateos Fournier. Currently, it has 8 SOS-Children’s Villages in the following cities:

Federal District & Huehuetoca, Estado de México
Hampolol, Campeche
Tehuacan, Puebla
Tijuana, Baja California
Morelia, Michoacán
Comitán & Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas. 
      
On a community level a campaign to prevent the infant abandonment is done through the Family Strengthening Program that is currently in place in the states of Puebla, Chiapas and the Federal District.
 
The SOS-Children’s Villages in Tijuana

The Tijuana SOS-Children’s village is operational since 1993 and currently offers shelter to 81 children and young adults, integrated in 9 families: 46 females and 35 males, between 1 and 20 years old.

According to their educational level, one attends the university, 7 attend preparatory school, 16 are in high school, 44 are in elementary school, 11 are in kindergarten and 2 babies that still haven started school.

Considering their installations, they have 12 family houses, and from those 9 are being used and the other three are waiting for new families. They also have offices, green areas and playgrounds.

Within their short term goals is the idea to give a home to 108 children and young adults integrated in 12 families. They are working in the generation of more green areas and a water recycling plant to have access to the water necessary to maintain such areas.

Other than the family formation, within the Village one can get computer classes, English classes and tutoring. During the holiday breaks, cultural workshops (theater, poetry, photography, painting, etc) are offered. Likewise, teens and young adults participate in community activities as volunteers.

Since 2003 they are working on a program to promote the children’s inner strength and help them surpass the traumatic shock by favoring the emotional expression, especially through art and creativity.
 
As you can see and appreciate, this is a very complex work realized by all the team of SOS-Children’s Villages to make a fundamental contribution to our society. 

My heart was touched during the hours that I spent in the village,playing and talking to the kids, with the mothers, sightseeing the place and learning about the institution. Even though the uneven social reality that we live is tough, living this kind of experience helps to keep the energy to continue and the hope for a better world.

I you want to be part of this great family and support their work, you can contribute your grain of salt with a donation to let them continue with their work. Many thanks from the bottom of my heart!!

Good trails!

Damián
 

See Video

Acknowledgements

To Lic. Jaime Javier López, National Director SOS-Children’s Villages México: for allowing the necessary resources to make this visit a reality.

To Luis Manuel Reza Maqueo, director SOS-Children’s Villages Tijuana, his family and Aida Villagrán: for the excellent reception and the big friendship that you offered me while I was visiting you.

To Mary and all her family: for the generosity and kindness you gave me during my stay.

To all and every one of the children of SOS-Children’s Villages Tijuana: with your pure and bright smiles you enlightened my heart giving me a huge push to keep going on with this trip. You are a great source of inspiration!!!