Hogar Oncológico Felipe Rivera is a home for children receiving treatment for cancer at Calvo Mackenna Children’s Hospital. The patients range in age from infants to 18 yrs. and are all from the provinces of Chile. The children are usually accompanied by their mothers. They come from families living in conditions of extreme poverty and would otherwise have nowhere to stay in Santiago while undergoing treatment.

This children’s Cancer Home was first opened in 1989.The AAC has made many contributions to the Home over the past 20 years. The first donation was sheets and blankets. Other donations include such items as gas heaters, a radio, a television, mattresses, clothing, school supplies, school uniforms, shoes, a washing machine, a refrigerator and a freezer, just to name a few. The newly formed IAC has decided to continue the work.Big Boys Making Marshmallow Snowmen

Three years ago Kathy Cundiff came up with the idea to provide craft kits for the children at Christmas and to hold a craft activity party. The activity was so successful that it was decided to do more of these parties to celebrate holidays throughout the year such as Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Dieciocho and Halloween. These party activities have proven to be very popular with both the children and their mothers. They provide a happy distraction from their worries and illnesses. We have always been welcomed with big smiles, hugs, and kisses, and have at least as much fun doing these activities as the children do. Sticker Fun with Little Ones

 The Charity Social Services committee often receives donations from our members. Two weeks ago Kathy C. and I took a carload of donated items to the Felipe Rivera home. We had commented on the fact that we had an unusual amount of baby clothes and articles, but knew that if they weren’t going to be used directly by the home, they could be sold in the monthly bazaar held at the hospital. The proceeds would then be used to benefit the children. We were greatly surprised on arrival to find out that two young children had just been admitted to the Home that week and that both their mothers each had an infant with her. One baby was 4 weeks old, the other just 23 days. Everyone was so excited and extremely grateful for these very timely donations.Wreath Making with the Mums

The Home recently requested some new kitchen cabinets and a kitchen sink from the IAC. While we were looking into estimates on the items, an accident occurred. One of the mothers slipped and fell in the kitchen. In order to break her fall she grabbed the sink and the cabinet. Both the sink and the cabinet pulled away from the wall, making this an emergency situation. Fortunately the Charity Social Services committee and then the IAC Board were able to take an email vote and the cabinet and sink were purchased. They will be installed this week.

There are endless ways in which we have, and can help these very needy children. The atmosphere at the Felipe Rivera Home is one of love. Working as a volunteer there and being a contact person for this charitable cause has been one of the most gratifying experiences of my life. If you are interested in helping out, as a regular volunteer or even for a single event please contact either Kathy Cundiff at 241-7219, (08) 209-6988 or Laurie Bennett at 321-6804, (09) 874-0924.

Submitted by Laura Bennett Greene

Adopt Orlando for A Month

Orlando

In 2004, the AAC established a scholarship fund to assist a student who excelled in academics, but could not afford the funds, to attend university.Since 2004, private donations from AAC members have allowed Orlando Rivera Letelier, our Living Expense Scholarship student, to meet his daily expenses, complemented with IAC funds that pay for his matriculation to study Math Enginerring at the University of Chile.

We are hoping the IAC members will continue to support his efforts and “adopt Orlando for a month” to assist with the expenses of $60.000 per month. Why not consider sharing a month with a friend or two? If 6 people wanted to share a month, it would be $10.000 per person; if 3 would like to share, it would be $20.000 per month, etc. Donors can contact Anna Alarcon at alarconanna@yahoo.com or Drucy Illanes at drucy@vtr.net. Orlando needs and deserves all the help that we can give to him. This is used for transportation, lunches, photocopying, school supplies, etc. Because it is difficult to get receipts for these types of expenses, it is not possible for the IAC as an organization to pay for this project on a monthly basis.

Orlando lives under very precarious circumstances. He and his mother live in a 2-room “citè”, which means they share basic utilities i.e., bathroom, water and kitchen space with other people living in adjacent rooms. We have been able to help Orlando with clothing donations as well as shoes and gym equipment. Orlando has overcome some very difficult moments and despite his extremely humble background, he has excelled in university and is constantly looking forward.

He has always volunteered to participate in organizing math contests and seminars. During one vacation period he was invited to be a judge at a winter vacation math contest in Valdivia in the south of Chile. An urgent plea was sent out to the general membership for clothing, shoes, bus fare and pocket money. We learned a little later that as a high school student, he had won several contests and eventually produced an impressive collection of his trophies. His university career has been as equally successful. In 2008, he was able to get a position as a teacher assistant in the university. During the past summer holidays (January and February, 2009) he had an internship with ENAP (the national petroleum company).

He will still depend on our generous members for their clothing and shoe donations. Any donation (size XL) can be left at the IAC house. Please indicate that it is for Orlando.

We hope that you will be able to meet Orlando during the coming year. He loves to practice his English. If he is able to attend a monthly meeting or if you find him at a Thursday luncheon, please be sure to say hello, he enjoys the challenge of chatting in a new language.