It had been only 5 days since my last visit to a SOS Children’s Village. As usual in these hot lands, the sun at noon was burning without merci, scorching the skin. It was Friday, April 25th 2008 when, with Maira, we arrived to the cityof Choluteca. When we got to the SOS Village, a big group of children that was anxiously waiting for my arrival welcomed me and immediately they started to inspect the bike with their natural curiosity. Some TV and radio crews had came along to make note of my visit.

Along with Jose Rodolfo Cruz, director of the Village since its foundation, we toured some of the houses and we went to the recreational area where I shared with the children some of the instances of my trip.

This time I had to share a room with one of the families, because the guest house was being renovated to become a new home. The SOS aunt not only washed thoroughly my biking clothes, but she also made a few repairs to its seams that were needed for quite some time. It was a nice surprise when I went to put them on the next morning.

The tour visiting the families was underlined by a storm of questions, some dances, countless hugs and kissed and a dinner where the older ones in the village stayed well into the night hours talking with me.

The origins of the Village

There are several reasons that determined the construction of the SOS Children’s Village Choluteca. On one hand, the growth in the numberof orphaned or abandoned children in the region was constant, and on the other hand, it should had been a project that would continue the work initiated with the Emergency Program SOS “Mitch” after the devastating consequences of the hurricane passing through there. March 20th 2001 was the official opening of the Village, with the presence of Helmut Kutin, president of the organization.

Today the village hosts 13 families and there are plans to incorporate another home during 2008, which will be located where the old administrative office was. The infrastructure also includes the Director’s House, the house for the personnel, a medical office and a pavilion.

The SOS Social Center Choluteca had a daycare facility with capacity for 150 babies with working parents. Since 2005 they also organize community home programs with women and families of the nearby communities. These daycare facilities help to the strengthening of the families and help to prevent the parents from abandoning their children.

In the Village live 115 children of different ages going from Rosalinda, at 1 yr old, to Sogerin, the oldest in the group at 21 yr old. The majority of the kids are in school age, with 8 children in preschool, 71 children in elementary school, 25 in high school and 3 doing vocational work. 
Also, the majority of the kids practice different social and sport activities.

During the summer month’s school break, the older children work in seasonal job in the city stores, with the prerequisite that they don’t fail any subject at school, which is another motive to keep up with their student obligations…

The village has implemented several fundraising opportunities to complement the funds that come from external sources. There is a “piggy bank” system in local stores and banks, the SOS Friends Club, several events to raise money and even raffles. There also the support of a local committee that helps out with all the activities done to benefit of the Village

SOS Children’s Villages in Honduras

The social and economical situation in Honduras in the 70’s was catastrophic. Many kids were abandoned by their families and ended up homeless. In 1968, the religious Maria Rosa pushed for the establishment of the SOS Children’s Villages in Honduras. The first SOS Village was founded in 1970 in Tegucigalpa, the capital of the country.

The worsening of the economical and political situation increased the number of helpless children. In 2004and with the continuing political instability in the country, SOS Children’s Villages reinforced their work in Honduras and built 5 more Villages, as well as numerous SOS annex installations.

In October 1998, hurricane Mitch devastated wide regions of the country. Soon thereafter, SOS Children’s Villages initiated a SOS Emergency Program: 3,000 families were assisted with food, medicines were distributed to hospitals, temporary housing was made available to children and their parents and economical assistance was provided to families without a house for the reconstruction of their homes.

In 2005 it was initiated the SOS Program for Families Strengthening, with which they would try to offer to children that are losing their families attention a familiar atmosphere in which to grow. For that purpose, SOS Children’s Villages works directly with families and communities in cooperation with the local authorities and other service providers so they would be able to take care and protect their children suitably.

Today there are seven SOS Children’s Villages in Honduras (Tela, La Ceiba, San Pedro Sula, Santa Rosa de Copan, Tegucigalpa, Valle de Ángeles y Choluteca), five SOS Youth Centers, an SOS Professional Development Center and three SOS Social Centers.

Your help is essential

In a country that was so heavily affected by poverty and natural disasters, the volunteer help is essential for the institution to keep functioning. Don’t let this opportunity to be part of this great family to pass, and help with a donation. A little help is worth plenty!!

 

To direct your contributions directly towards SOS Villages in Honduras, you can do it through the following bank accounts:

SOS Children’s Villages Honduras
Account# 101015694-1, Bank: HSBC
e-mail:clubdeamigos@aldeassoshon.org

SOS Children’s Villages Choluteca
Account# 101120878-2, Bank: HSBC
e-mail: hotfofo65@yahoo.com
Phones: (504) 782-5420 /714-0082, Cell. 3240-5065

Many thanks from the bottom of my heart for your contribution!!

Another way of helping

The complex economical situation that affects the country has made it difficult for the institution to continue with its plans and projects. Therefore they are trying to sell some properties the institution owns in Tela, in the Zamorano Valley.

The land consists of 85,000 square meters (21 acres) containing natural resources of water, recreational areas with plenty of vegetation and buildings for immediate use. It also has areas for farming.

It is a property ideal for tourist development, due to its greenareas,favorable as a capacitating center for educational and recreational programs, allowing for social activities, retreats, and country club and family reunions.

Its resources allows for its autonomy, with areas conditioned for farming, cattle and otheractivities able to generate income.

If you are interested in the property or know of someone that could be interested, you can get more information through the following contact persons:

Lic. Juan Carlos Flores
Phone: (504) 232-6087 / 239-0420
juancarlos.flores@aldeassoshon.org

Lic. Virginia Torres
Phone: (504) 239-0420
virginia.torres@aldeassoshon.org

Lic. Bessy Rodríguez
Phone: (504) 239-5987
clubdeamigossos@aldeassoshon.org

Thanks!!!

Acknowledgements

To José Rodolfo Cruz Pineda, director of the SOS Children’s Village Choluteca: for the visit coordination and the excellent reception.

To the personnel of the Village: for accompanying me through my visit to the village step by step.

To the press members that came to the Village to cover the instances of my visit.

To the aunts, moms, boys and girls of the SOS Village Choluteca: for the genuine love that you expressed towards me with I visited your homes.