For several months, a small group of IAC volunteers have been visiting there on Wednesday afternoons. Sometimes we play games with the children and their mothers. On other days, usually related to a holiday, a Craft Party is organized. The most recent craft activity centered around Chile’s Independence Day and Armed Forces Day holidays.Peggy Peseckas designed a poster board Chilean Flag to be filled in with fluffy pieces of crepe paper to give it a three dimensional look. Empanadas and a beautifully decorated and delicious carrot cake, also contributed by Peggy, were served at tea time.

Recently the Hogar has extended its services to include, cardiac, renal transplant and other non-contagious illness patients. As a result, the IAC was asked to donate the construction of a new, additional bathroom to be used by the mothers. There was a shortage of bathrooms in the house for the number of residents and often the mothers had to leave to the hospital for the day without having had a chance to shower. The project was approved by both the Charity Social Services Committee and the IAC Board of Directors. Construction has just been completed.

 The bathroom turned out better than anyone had imagined. It had to be built from scratch in a corner of the service patio.  The director, secretary, tias and most of all the moms, were so grateful and excited about this new addition to the house. On Friday afternoon they were planning a special little bathroom inauguration party. The ladies planned to drape toilet paper across the doorway to take the place of a “ribbon cutting” ceremony! Everyone was all smiles, and very thankful to the IAC for this practical addition that will make such a difference in their day to day lives. Teresa, the director and I were standing in the service patio area, putting hooks on the shower curtain when I noticed water flowing across the floor. “Oh NO!”, I thought. Something must have been poorly installed in the bathroom and has struck a leak. NOT so. It turned out to be an overflowing wash basin that a mother had plugged and accidentally left the water running. She had been distracted when she went to check on her daughter. WHEW! What a relief!
This bathroom is a reminder of just how valuable IAC donations and charity fundraisers are to the community.

The home has also received many generous donations this year by IAC members. Some of these donations are; beds, a clothes dryer,a refrigerator/freezer and toys. I would especially like to thank Marilyn and Patrick Hanley. On leaving Chile they donated many valuable household items to several of our Homes. The beds they donated to Maria Ayuda made it possible to furnish a small room for dads to stay in when they are able to visit their children. The amazing new side by side refrigerator/freezer was also very much appreciated.

By Laurie Bennett Greene

Volunteers from The Friends of Helen Keller, teachers from the school and instructors from La Parva work with the children to make the experience a memorable one. The program is an annual event that occurs once a week over a four-week period.  This program was started by Nicky Howe and Pat Hodges four years ago and they both are still very active in this program.

The instructors from La Parva have received special training in order to work with these students by Case Ronde who lost his battle to cancer several years ago. The instructors guide the students with ski poles, their own hands or verbal commands to go left or right depending on how advanced the student’s ability at skiing is.  La Parva instructors donate their time and the Pa Parva donates the ski equipment which allows Friends of Hellen Keller to just raise funds for the transportation.

We had 6 skiers and 3 other students had the opportunity to just go up to La Parva and play in the snow.  Most of the students have never even been in the snow before so this was a wonderful experience.

Volunteers from Friends of Hellen Keller donate their time and prepare fabulous lunches to make this a complete outing.  All the students had a great experience and said they will be talking about this experience for years to come.

  Paz y Alegria is a home for the abandoned aged in Batuco.  It was opened about 30 years ago by Mother Teresa.  Since then, her Sisters of Charity have operated it.

  It is a little challenging to volunteer there because the sisters don’t want anyone coming on a regular schedule.  They don’t want anyone feeling obligated to come and prefer that visitors come when the spirit moves them and they have a peaceful heart.  That being said, they still want a call the day before visitors come to make sure it’s all right.  Also, the sisters will not ask for anything because they believe that God knows their needs better than they do and that He will provide.  They fiercely protect the dignity of the people in their care, and photos of the residents are strictly prohibited. 

  Betty Furber, another IAC member, has been volunteering at the home for decades.  Through IAC member donations and her connections with local thrift shops, Betty collects car loads of donations.  She lovingly washes and mends all the usable items and takes them when she visits.  What they can’t use there, the sisters give to others in need.

  On one of my visits, 3 of the men were going in a van to get their carnets renewed.  They were all beautifully groomed, dressed in fine suits and had polished shoes.  Anyone seeing them outside of the home would never guess they were frail and abandoned, they carried themselves with such dignity. 

  Although the sisters and a small staff of workers do the bulk of the work, many of the residents have little jobs, like setting the table.  All of the able ones help get everyone else to the dining room and in one way or another they all look after one another. 

  As with all of our “hands on” opportunities,  we volunteers go with the idea of helping and serving the less fortunate, only to realize we are the ones truly blessed by the experience.

Blessings,

Pat Hodges

At the start of 2011 Fundación Crescendo, one of IAC’s  Hands-on Projects, initiated a new means of service delivery to adults with intellectual disabilities through their  "Centro de Apoyo Psicosocial"  (Center for Psychosocial Support) located in Dr. Johow 411, Providencia. Solange Vallejos joins the staff of Fundación Crescendo as General Coordinator for instructors and support services personnel to provide workshops and professional psychosocial support instruction to improve the independent life skills and capabilities of the adults with intellectual disabilities who participate at the center. Participants’ programs are based on “Planes Individuales de Elecciones” (Individual Choice Plans) that are person-centered and focused on meeting the individual interests and intrinsic motivations of the participants.

The goal for the comprehensive service is to help the participants achieve the maximum development of life skills, to promote self-determination and autonomy, and to promote a better quality of life and social inclusion. The staff working with the participants and their families facilitate the adults with intellectual disabilities through three “tallers” or workshops that comprise the newly designed Centro de Apoyo Psicosocial. The first is a series of Elective Workshops that provide opportunities for development in specific areas, according to the individual interests of the participants (e.g., computers, drama, literature, zootherapy, among others). The second, Individual Support Workshop includes activities that develop self-confidence and encourage self-determination. The third taller is “Transversales” or General Workshops that develop self-advocacy and communication skills of the participants as they address issues or topics of direct interest to the participants.  This last taller’s goal is to develop the participants’ autonomy assuring each that their opinions are valued.

Fundación Crescendo has taken seriously their work on developing the self-determination skills of their adult participants. Participants of the Centro de Apoyo Psicosocial are active members of the newly formed Red de Vida Independente y Inclusiva en la Communidad” (Network for Independence and Community Inclusion- RedVIIC ) a coalition of foundations and support service agencies whose goal is to assure community inclusion and self determination for persons with intellectual disability. Recently on March 23, 2011 three participants and five family members from Fundación Crescendo had an opportunity to learn more about self-determination, independence and community inclusion by attending the seminar, “Cuidan@s y Discapacidad Intelectual” with international speakers, Dr. David Coulter of Harvard, Dr. Mary Cerreto of Boston University, and Dr. Donna Martinez of George Washington University, now residing in Santiago.  The seminar was developed by “Shana Harrison, Director of Fundación Crescendo serves as coordinator of RedVIIC.  Also in attendance were eight of Fundación Crescendo’s staff members, including teachers, administrators and therapists.  They joined the more than 400 other professionals and students in the disability field, government administrators, policymakers, as well as ranking members of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Carbinaros. The presentations were translated using simultaneous translation through headsets. The participants of Fundación Crescendo showed great interest in the technology mastering it quickly. Their attendance at the seminar demonstrated the caveat, “Nothing about us without us.”

To learn more about Fundación Crescendo visit http://www.crescendo.cl/

To learn more about RedVIIC visit http://redviic.wordpress.com/

 Every Monday afternoon from 5:30pm to 6:30 pm a group of dedicated volunteers from the IAC conducts ESL classes at this government school for the blind in Nuñoa.  The students are delightful, ranging in ages from 5 to15 years.  Some are blind, some have low vision and some also have intellectual disabilities, so this is not ordinary ESL class.  The focus is very much on touching and feeling real objects to learn simple words and songs in English.  The theme for classes this semester is physical fitness which the students are really enjoying, using aids such as balls with bells inside, scooters and skateboards.  There are no pre-requisites for volunteering at CHK, other than knowing how to have fun. Members can contact Nicky Howe (see IAC contact list) if you´d like to know more.

As a volunteer at the Misión de Maria (a home for babies and toddlers) I spend an afternoon each week with a dozen beautiful toddlers. They are cared for by a staff of tias who love them and make each one feel very special. In December, in order that the tias could have a day out together at a parcela, each volunteer had the opportunity to host a toddler at her home for the day.  A little boy named Yoan, who has been running after pelotas since he learned to walk, came to my house.

Yoan is almost two years old. He has big brown eyes and dark hair and a very sweet nature. He loves to run, climb, and even dance a little. He is the most coordinated and agile of his peers.  He’s a messy eater, always wearing a bib and a grin.

Usually busy and investigating everything at the Misión, Yoan was reserved when we arrived at my house. He sat on my lap and looked around the living room for a while. Once he seemed at ease, he had a snack of bananas and strawberries. He loved the bananas! When he began to mash the strawberries with his fist I knew he was done.  Then I buckled him into el coche (stroller) that a fellow Charity Services Committee member loaned me and we set off for the park.

The walk down the street captivated Yoan. It was a busy weekday with micros roaring past, people passing by, cars and taxis stopping at going at every corner, a scene very different from the quiet Ñuñoa neighborhood of the Misión. Yoan stayed quiet and still, but under his red cap his big brown eyes were taking it all in.

At the park he climbed up and jumped off the play structure (into my arms) over and over. We went on the swings together. He dozed off on the ride home. After lunch we went to another park. At this park Yoan was frightened by some small dogs, but he was happy to hold the ball I brought for him. Then we got ice cream. Yoan enjoyed his mango helado taking small bites with the sampling spoon. And watching passers-by.

After a second, longer nap that began in el coche, Yoan explored the kitchen while I got his dinner ready. He ate lasagna, more bananas, and yogurt, and seemed to enjoy it all. Bath time brought about some shrieks, so we did a sponge bath.  Soon it was time to pack up Yoan’s mochila and head back to the Misión. It was a very special day for me, and I hope Yoan enjoyed his day in a new environment.

The entire country has been caught up in the celebrations and festivities of Chile’s Bicentenario (Bicentennial) including Fundación Crescendo, a wonderful hands-on-project of IAC (see also http://tinyurl.com/Fundacion-Crescendo-Eng).

From preparing sopaipillas or pumpkin fritters, to dancing Chile’s national dance, the participants at the taller (sheltered workshop) have celebrated the country’s birthday in style with members from the IAC.  Yet as the country winds down and recuperates from too much bicentennial holiday, Crescendo keeps going strong preparing for their grand Tallarinata or spaghetti feed at the Crescendo taller located at Santiago College, Lota 2465, Providencia, Santiago on November 20, 2010 at 1PM. 

Crescendo is a marvelous foundation that works with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Santiago, Chile. IAC members through our hands-on- projects assist adults with disabilities who participate at the workshop. Our efforts support and offer them the opportunity to continue having a quality life, using and improving their skills even after their governmental educational years have ended.  The hands-on-projects assist the workshop participants to continue their path of personal development and growth through art therapy, exercise and dance.  It is most exciting to see this foundation’s focus on developing the self-determination and advocacy skills of the participants as well. Individuals participate in the round table discussions with collaborating foundations and government officials discussing their rights for community inclusion. The Crescendo Foundation also supports a group home for eight of the participants. IAC members are always needed to not only to provide support in these various activities, but also to develop friendships and relationships with these fabulous individuals. 

IAC related activities at the workshop have included cooking lessons, assisting with exercise, dancing the cueca and enjoying the Bicentennial Gala at the National Stadium.  On August 24 “Hands-on-Project” teamed with the “Get to Know Santiago” to introduce 11 IAC members to sopaipillas, Chile’s deep fried flatbread or fritter made from pumpkin dough and served hot with pebre (Chile’s salsa) for those who like it hot and spicy or with syrup and sugar for those who have a sweet tooth. 

When they are not offering cooking lessons to our members, hands-on-project support is given to the participants during their busy daily work schedule by assisting them in the production of their beautiful crafts they offer for sale. An exercise break to the daily grind helps everyone keep in shape.  

The members of the taller are quite the party animals too! It was hard for me to keep up with them as they danced the cueca and attended the National Bicentennial Gala (which ended at 1AM with fireworks!).

Be sure to book 1 PM to 4PM(13:00-16:00 hrs) November 20, 2010 to attend Fundación Crescendo’s second annual Tallarinata or Spaghetti Feed!  The event will be held at Santiago College, Lota 2465, Providencia, Santiago. You will be sure to enjoy eating fabulous food, watching great entertainment, meeting up with old friends or making new ones. Last years Tallarinata was a gran exito (great success). Click here to view pictures and read about the event held last year (note, text is in Spanish). Contact Donna Martinez at dmartin336@aol.com to learn more about the Tallarinata or to participate in IAC’s hands-on-projects for Fundación Crescendo.

The IAC provides Craft Kit parties which are scheduled around various holidays.  Kathy Cundiff and a slew of volunteers, organized a craft party for Mother's Day on Wednesday, May 5. Kathy shares a bit of the day with us below:

Today we had a lovely afternoon with the children at Maria Ayuda.  All made possible because of the faithful volunteers, Claudia, Peggy, Iris, Mary Ann Fox, and Marilyn.  This Mother's Day party especially needs hands on volunteers because it happens without the mothers there to help us.

We had seven children.  John Bennet was able to be with us at last, sinse before Christmas he has been always with treatments.  Eliana, one of our favorite girls, came at the very end and thankfully Claudia was able to help her as she really wanted to do her project. 

I can not help but see how hard some treatments are, but also how resilient the children are.  They soldier on, and so do the moms. 

I do not think I can remember when Natalia's mother, Zoila was not there.  I look forward to seeing her.  She is an especially nurturing and kind mother.  Her happy attitude sets a good example for some of the other mothers.  This is really a big part of the program at Oncologico.  Nurturing and being a responsible mother does not always come easily, as we can well imagine. For some it never comes.

During all this activity, the home was having a despidida (farewell) for 2 long time Tias (Aunts/helpers).  This is a home where employees last for years.  It is very much a family-like home.  So today was slightly crazy.  

The children made cards and then bracelets or necklaces or both for the moms.  So cute to watch what colors children pick.  They all have really definite tastes.  The volunteers had gifts for each mother.    

Again, this day happened because of the very special volunteers and the support from the IAC.  What a wonder to behold.  Many thanks to all.

Who They Are

Habitat for Humanity Chile is working with communities and families at risk by providing housing solutions, providing support to the community and providing various services in an efficient and sustainable, thus benefiting the entire nation. Habitat Currently Chile has helped over 3,500 families obtain adequate housing. Habitat Projects exist in each of the five regions (Antofagasta, Valparaiso, Valparaíso, Maule, Bio Bio and Araucania).

In the 1970s, the Chilean government made a drastic cut in the budget used for housing that the country is still trying to overcome. In order to assist with this shortfall, Habitat Chile has been in partnership with government programs still in progress. With the extra support and leadership of organizations like Habitat, the government housing program and subsidy programs have successfully encouraged low-income sectors to obtain their property legally through formal channels, creating a foundation safer for the future of each family.

IAC and Habitat Chile

In addition to new construction, Habitat Chile is working to improve conditions for low-income families by remodeling and rebuilding home infrastructure. The IAC is working with Habitat on a project called "That our Children Can Go Home". In many cases, children who have life-threatening diseases and live in unhealthy, unsanitary environments, spend an inordinate amount of time in hospitals or clinics, because their living environment makes more ill. This project is aimed at creating a healthy and safe home so that these children can live with less risk of infection and worsening of their diseases.

The IAC is working with habitat to assist in the home of Antonella and Martina, 2-yr old twins with severe respiratory problems. They live with their parents in a 1-bedroom home with poor ventilation and no insulation. Habitat will provide the construction and volunteers, while the IAC will provide funds for all materials. In the case of HIV-positive Juan, who lives with 6 family members in small shed-like structures behind his grandmother's home, we are working with Habitat to provide running water and improve the kitchen for a healthier space. 14 year-old Gladys is HIV positive and has lost both her father and a sister to the disease. Gladys, her mother and brother share one room in a small home. After the constructin is completed, Gladys will have her own room, which will help avoid the spread of infections. 

All-in-all, the IAC is hoping to help 9 Habitat families, so that with proper medical care, their homes will clean and safe while providing a place of comfort and love.