Christmas: Time to Strengthen Family Ties
15/10/2008
"Let's pack!" is what probably our SOS youths living or studying in other cities or abroad say every time Christmas is near. To them, it is certainly the occasion to meet their families again - an opportunity no one wants to miss!
All children, mothers, aunts (family helpers), and even the "SOS co-workers" at SOS Children's Village Sucre are highly emotional about Christmas. The youths who are studying in the cities of La Paz and Cochabamba and two students receiving training in Costa Rica come back to Sucre to share memorable moments with their families.
Their younger brothers and sisters, who keep in touch with them by writing letters throughout the year, joyfully organise a welcome surprise which is the start of Christmas celebrations. The visitors are treated to a delicious cake followed by their favorite dish.
Organising Christmas festivities
But the visitors also actively participate in organizing the festivities. Last year, for example, on Christmas Day both girls and boys prepared hot chocolate and traditional doughnuts for the poor children of the community. They also cooked api, a very popular hot corn drink of the Andes. This is to help our SOS children get in touch with the children of the neighborhood.
SOS children dance and sing Christmas carols, all together with the young "SOS guests". There is happiness and solidarity and nobody wants the party to end.
Besides, SOS mothers and "SOS aunts (family helpers)" of the village, with the help of the smaller children, prepare baby Jesus cribs in different houses.
On 25 December, Christmas Day, there is a special service. Some SOS mothers and aunts (family helpers), all along with their children, visit the capital Sucre to enjoy the Christmas carols often performed in the main square of the city: Plaza 25 de Mayo.
SOS Children runs nine children's villages in Bolivia which provide a loving home to over 1,000 children. Additionally, projects such as training centres, schools, medical centre and social centre support a further 11,500 children in the wider community.
Relevant Countries: Bolivia.