One of the primary missions of the International Association of Chile is to provide a coordinated effort to raise funds to improve the living conditions and educational environment of the disadvantaged in Chile. Through our annual fundraiser, Noche de Ayudarte, we are able to provide financial support to a variety of charitable projects by working with non-profit institutions in Santiago throughout the year.   See below for highlights of some of the charities which the IAC has been able to assist these past 12 months.

We have also continued to support the British Commonwealth Society, the Royal British Legion and the 14th Company Bomberos (fire fighters), all former charities of the British International Group.  Information about these three charities is also listed below.

Finally, our members volunteer, hands-on, with several charitable organizations on a continual basis.  See our "Hands-On" section of the web page for more information on these activities.

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION CHARITIES ASSISTED DURING 2010-2011

Colegio Hellen Keller                                                                                                        Nunoa

This residential facility is the only school for the blind in Santiago, with 95 full time students. The school offers a full range of educational opportunities, including classes to train teachers from other parts of the country. The IAC purchased a new industrial oven for the school. Project costs: $400.000

 

Escuela Basica Canada                                                                                                  Quilicura

This local school in the community of Quilicura provides education and support to more than 700 students. After raising the funds to construct a new wing with an additional 15 classrooms, they are looking for additional support for a new library and sports program. The IAC is working with them on this project. Project costs: $11.000.000.

 

Fundacion Crescendo                                                                                                    Nunoa

This foundation provides a residential facility and workshops for 24 mentally challenged adults. Workshops are offered Monday-Friday, providing stimulation and growth for the participants. The IAC purchased new refrigerators, computers and printers for the facility. Project costs: $1.300.000

 

Fundacion Escuchame                                                                                               Santiago

 This foundation provides funds to Corporacion Comunica which is a rehabilitation center for children who have profound hearing loss and as well as  those who are hard of hearing. They work with children from 2 years and older to provide implants and hearing aid. The IAC purchased two sets of hearing aids for this organization.  Project costs: $4.000.000

 

Fundacion Nuestros Hijos                                                                                         San Miguel

A residential facility for children  who are undergoing medical treatment for cancer. Children and a parent are provided a warm and loving home environment while undergoing treatment. The IAC purchased a dental chair for dental procedures for the hospital. Project costs: $2.300.000.

 

Hogar Las Creches                                                                                                      La Reina

This residential facility is home to 23 girls, ranging in age from 5 to 17 years old, who have been placed by the Ministry of Justice where their own homes were deemed unsafe. The IAC provided funds to upgrade electrical wiring and expand and remodel dormitory .Project Costs: $6.000.000

 

 Hogar Oncologica Felipe Rivera                                                                                 Nunoa

This hogar offers a place of refuge for children suffering from cancer. They provide residential facilities for children and a parent, while the child is undergoing cancer treatment.  They offer psychological, social and spiritual support throughout the process. The AC purchased a new wheelchair for the facility. Project costs: $500.000.


Mercy Worldwide                                                                                                       Santiago

Mercy Worldwide is a non-profit international organisation assisting those in need of education, medical and spiritual guidance, around the globe. The IaC worked with Mercy International to build 2 homes for families whose homes were destroyed by the February 2010 earthquake in Talca. Project costs: $3.570.000.


 Salvation Army Jardin Infantil El Bosque

With a capacity of up to 100 children, this preschool provides an important oasis for at risk children, many from single-parent homes, in violent neighbourhoods. The IAC provided funds to repair and remodel the 3 bathrooms in the school. Project costs: $1.600.000.


THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION SANTIAGO CHILE BRANCH

The Royal British Legion is a charity which supports ex-servicemen of the British Armed forces. Its major fund-raising event is the Poppy Appeal; which occurs on Remembrance Day, which is the Armistice Day of the First World War.

The Santiago branch of the Royal British Legion is also a Chilean registered charity that helps ex-servicemen who live in Chile.  Many of these are Chilean nationals who volunteered for the British Services to fight in the two World Wars.  The Santiago Branch of the Legion helps primarily with the costs of hospitalisation and other medical expenses.  All of their money is spent in Chile and currently we are spending our total income.

For further details please contact the secretary Roger Barlow at 3514200 or rbarlow@empresastaylor.com

 

BRITISH COMMONWEALTH SOCIETY

History

The society started its existence as the British Society in 1922 when it was granted legal status by the Chilean Government. The name was later changed to ¨British Commonwealth Society¨ which is used today. Why We Exist

"The object of the Society will be to carry out charitable activities for citizens of the British Commonwealth of Nations resident in Chile; coordinate the social and general activities amongst citizens of the British Commonwealth of Nations resident in Chile and to promote the well-being among its members: to provide to British citizens who have fallen on hard times: to promote and maintain relations of any kind between the British Commonwealth and Chile and other nations.¨

How We Achieve the Foregoing

In recent decades, the Society ran a retirement home for both gentlemen and ladies but latterly for ladies only. This eventually was closed due to the difficulties of running such a home and the increasing complexity and cost arising from the requirements of the Dept. of Health and other authorities.

We give monthly financial support to a number of individuals in need. This gives rise to periodic visits being made to the beneficiaries by the Society´s committee members, to ensure that their needs are being satisfactorily met.

Social activities of a fund raising nature are also important- the Casino Night and film premieres are examples.

Membership  

We are always looking for new members.  Membership is not onerous, although we always look for volunteers from the membership to help with the social activities.  

FUNDACIÓN 14ª. COMPAÑÍA DE BOMBEROS

The 14th FIRE AND RESCUE COMPANY was founded in 1958 as a way of recognizing the hospitality and friendship received by the British community over the years in Chile.  The spirit of the founding volunteers, including the dedication and discipline of many war time veterans, was based on British inspired education and ideals.   Our mission is defined as:

            To provide the community at large with a free voluntary quality driven, efficient and professional fire fighting and rescue service that ensures peace of mind and Trustworthiness based on the best principles of British tradition.

We are proud of our British tradition, a feeling shared by all volunteers today, most of whom are Chilean attracted by our inherited values of community service.  The 14th is part of the Cuerpo de Bomberos de Santiago serving the capital city.  Chile is unique and probably the only country where all fire and rescue services are provided and manned by volunteers whose only reward is the satisfaction of serving the community.

During the year the 14th receives over 700 emergency calls attending fires of diverse magnitude in addition to rescue work resulting from vehicle accidents, rescues from high-rise buildings, watercourses, gas leaks, etc.  as well as providing many other services.  From a total of 127 volunteers of which 70 have more than five years experience, 50 are licensed paramedic trauma operators and 40 urban rescuers.  Active volunteers receive near to 100 hours of training per year.   

Our running expenses are met through fiscal and municipal support as well as individual contributors.  Volunteers pay for the privilege of belonging to the Fire Company by means of a fixed monthly amount.  Major acquisitions, such as our new Fire Station, have been financed in great measure by the Municipalidad de Providencia and the Santiago Fire Brigade but we rely heavily on local benefactors to complete our financial needs.