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.
Medicine: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.
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.
Offerings:
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.
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.
