The medical work was continued by five doctors, who attended patients in all their available times. The patients (both children and adults) were very happy to see us again. Some said that they would not know what to do without those little balls that had done such a good efect on them. With this people there is much education done about healthy feeding, habits (about watching TV, etc.), the meaning of fever and how to manage it, the meaning of illness in our biography, so that they can asume their and their children’s health from their own responsability and be able to find a relation between their health or illness, and so that they do not feel helpless towards this last one, feeling that what happens to them occur just by chance.
Two rythmical massage therapists came aswell, who worked with much dedication; two dentists who worked on diagnosis and prevention and two chemists who carried an essential labour within the therapeutic team. The medicines were given to the patienets free of charge, because most of them are very poor. We are very glad to be able to bring anthroposophical medicine to such little corner of our world, where it would hardly reach otherwise.
The Waldorf teachers continued to work with toddlers and older children. The same children usually come back, whom in ceratin way have the experince of “there’s something special given to me here”. Mothers were given storybooks for them to read, every night at home, a tale to their children. This is something that now they learnt to do, therefore they ask for it (Many thanks for the storybooks donations!). As a present, some wonderful toys, handmade specially for Itahue children by a group of equatorian Waldorf teachers, were given to the smiling kids.
The knitting workshop carried on. This time the participant ladies took little knitted squares for them to finish off the blankets as homework for the next visit, something that they learnt to do this time. They also learnt how to circle knit socks with 4 needles, eventhough some of them did not know how to knit at all! Around 26 enthusiastic women participated and most of them could knit at least a sock and a half. It was encouraging to see 4 ladies of the same line of descendence knitting together (greatgrandmother, grandmother, mother and daughter).
The “Rebuild Itahue” embroidery workshop continued to work, embroidering town images that now are just kept in their souls. They worked with great eagerness, which is helping them to go through their mourning in an artistic way.
This time only one psychologist came with us. She had work to do, though it was clear that the needs of the people had already declined a bit in this regard.
A new beads workshop was offered and was very succesful among teenagers. We believe is good for them to put their hands and creative forces into something that they would like to have and probably would buy al ready done.
We took a truck nearly full with warm clothes. Many thanks for the generosity of the friends in Santiago that gave away warm and very good quality clothes! We also took ten equipped beds which were delivered very consciously. Is important for us to know that people there will have enough warm during the winter.
On this occasion we also had the strengh to build two more houses and insulate two shacks, with what we had finished two more houses. One of them was for a family with a two years old boy who’s father was jobless at that time, so he worked with us industriously building his future home. The other house was for an old lonely woman who had least priority in the council’s housing list as she was on her own, without family.
“Shelter for Chile” volunteers are very grateful that fate has put us ahead the possibility of accomplishing this work with Itahue’s people. This is made possible largely due to the tremendous support we have received from you. Deeply from our hearts, MANY THANKS.
Carina Vaca Zeller
On behalf of “Shelter for Chile” / “Cobijo para Chile”
www.cobijoparachile.blogspot.com
Second visit: Blankets for Chile Campaign - Easter
We wish to reach all our dear friends from near and far who have followed us with their hearts and/or have offered financial support to this effort in making it possible for us to help the earthquake victims of the 27th of February, 2010 in the villages of Itahue, Puente Alto and Cerillo Bascunan (Communidad de Molina, VII region).
The first step we took was between the 2nd and 4th of April when 160 enthusiastic volunteers traveled to the area to offer help to the community. Up until now very little help has arrived in contrast to the enormity of the disaster one can perceive:
On this initial 3 day journey much was achieved, though it seems minute when one witnesses the physical destruction that extends in all directions. There are 2800 inhabitants in the area and there are 182 houses ready to be demolished or already on the ground. It is a rural zone, where poverty reigns, in addition to the desolation that can be seen as a consequence of the earthquake. People tend to have temporary work such as apple harvesting, as an example.
We include a short report about our campaign, only mentioning that the experience of the participants is intimate, intense and impossible to describe.
12 anthroposophical doctors from different medical groups in Santiago, worked intensively with people who for the first time received medical attention of that nature. In addition to the common reasons for a medical consultation, almost all were suffering the consequences of emotional shock. The received long consultations where they were treated with warmth and concern. Normally there is a doctor who can see them briefly one morning a week. We had 3 pharmacists who distributed medicine ( the anthroposophic remedies we received were donated by Weleda, Alquimist Apotheke and Triodo, in addition to a donation from the doctors in Germany). There was a doctor who made home visits to all the patients who were bed-ridden.
Rhythmical Massage, Oil Applications and Compresses:
A large number of patients received the blessing of these treatments. Five nurses and massage therapists participated on the team. Patients received through this, human warmth and healing for the first time experienced in this manner. A woman who was receiving this stated, "Oh massage! Yes, I know it from television, but I never thought that one day I would receive a massage". Deep pain could disolve under the loving hands of those committed to the task of doing good to others. Tears appeared, but weren't only out of sadness, but also out of gratitude because another human being was willing to share their destiny with understanding.
Work with Babies:
Professional work with babies was done according to the method of Emmi Pikler, along with the medical work. This is of essence for the future of these developing human beings.
Psychotherapy:
Eighteen psychologists who have a relationship to Anthroposophy participated,doing therapeutic work with the people, who had real "thirst". Six tents were installed that served as offices for the patients who were receiving treatment. Many psychologists also went directly to homes since many of the people couldn't come out because of fear or depression.
Therapeutic Group Work:
This work served as a mantle, as healing and unspeakable affection. We were able to experience a high level of therapeutic and medical work, such as we dream of in youth. Work so profound, harmonious, and humanly executed, we have not achieved even in "rich Santiago".
The Elderly:
An occupational therapist and psychotherapist worked with this group in a conversation and exchange group. This worthy work will continue to develop so that the treasures of the local culture can be rescued and later gifted as legacy to the younger generations.
Pedagogy:
Twenty Waldorf teachers worked in groups with children from 3 to 17 years of age. Many volunteers joined who wished to help with the children, many of them Waldorf students. The healing effect of fairy tales and rhythmic games was evident on their little faces filled with wonder. These are children whose souls are healthier (in spite of their deep wounds) than the great majority of our city children. Running parallel to this work, mothers and elders were in workshops sewing small squares together, (mostly knit by children in Santiago) and creating warm and colorful coverings. They also learned to make small Waldorf dolls and Easter braids. An Easter celebration took place for the children, with a lovely story, culminating in breakfast where each child received, at their place, a little nest with the "red egg" from the story. Waldorf teachers also went to work personally with the children who hadn't left their homes.
Research:
A group of medical students began research on the therapeutic effect of fairy tales on children between 4 and 6 years of age. They have designed the format and have begun surveying mothers.
We brought two moving vans (also donations) filled with donations for the people. These were distributed personally to each family, in a very conscious and directed way, with the help of the neigborhood leaders. The group responsible for donations distributed 50 beds, warm bedding for 100 persons and dishes for 100 families. We also delivered a great quantity of clothing and toys which were gifted to us in Santiago as help for our campaign.
Construction:
Before our trip, an architect had designed good quality housing with a bath and a kitchen. Working under his direction were three construction workers from Santiago and six more joined them in Itahue, along with volunteers who wanted to help with their hands. The materials were brought from Santiago. They worked hard, with no rest and built 5 very solid wood houses. The people who benefited from this work felt so grateful that they invited the volunteers to eat with them, offering them the best they had. Other volunteers helped people clear debris and save tiles from the houses about to be demolished.
On our last evening, a large part of the population went to the catholic Easter mass where we (Cobijo de Chile) were mentioned repeatedly, with gratitude. After the mass, the people of Itahue made a party in our honor. We could hardly believe that those who had lost their houses and in some cases loved ones would have the forces to demonstrate their gratitude in such a lovely way.
Although we worked hard, we returned inwardly enriched by the intense experiences we each lived through. The human relationships which were established ,individually .with the people of Itahue are soul treasures, threads of light that carry within them the true spiritual future.
We have made a commitment to continue to go to Itahue regularly, until Christmas. In order to do this we need your financial support (every bit of help counts, no matter how small). We want to continue with the pedagogical work (materials are always needed), with the medical work ( we need to buy medicine since they cannot eternally be donations), we hope to bring more beds ( for people who are still sleeping on the floor... the winter cold is on its way). As an example: On one of the home visits, a Waldorf teacher found an invalid elderly woman who was dragging herself on the floor because she didn't have a wheel chair. This is not a consequence of the earthquake, but we cannot allow such a painful situation tocontinue. One of the campaign statutes is to promote human dignity. We want to bring this woman a wheelchair on the 1st of May. If you are able to donate one we will be grateful from the bottom of our hearts.
PLEASE HELP US. It is only with your help that we can continue to build a human mantle.
Carina Vaca Zeller
in service of "Cobijo para Chile"
When Itahue is mentioned, we are also referring to Puente Alto and Cerillo Bascunan. We are working in the same way with inhabitants of the three villages.
Our campaign is supported by the council of Molina Priscilla Castilla, who offered us all the installations we used.
