LET'S BUILD THE FUTURE TOGETHER

When the educational crisis left by the pandemic rages against the poorest and most vulnerable children, this establishment that Hogar de Cristo has in one of the most violent sectors of Quilicura is a haven of peace, harmony and learning. What is the key?

In July 2018, Catholic University kindergarten educator and family mediator Liliana Santander told us, "Hogar de Cristo's kindergartens and nurseries are where no one else is. And we, its workers, are well cared for, validated by the community, because people feel that we are close and human. I am where I want to be, because I feel useful and, therefore, fulfilled, despite the shootings.

Today, the director of the San José kindergarten and nursery school that Hogar de Cristo has in the Raúl Silva Henríquez de Quilicura neighborhood, is still there, at the foot of the cannon. From 8 a.m., Monday to Friday, she stands at the door welcoming each one of the 98 infants and toddlers that the establishment attends. She personally greets each of the parents or guardians, because, she assures that this is the key to the 92% attendance rate.

To have a 92% attendance rate in a particularly complex territory, where drug trafficking, delinquency and violence are present on a daily basis, is something to rejoice and feel very satisfied about.

Constanza was the fairy godmother that Hogar de Cristo and Liliana Santander found to renovate the facilities of the San José kindergarten and nursery school a couple of years ago. With an investment of close to 600 million pesos, it was rebuilt with the economic contribution of the Said Somavía family. Today it looks brand new and colorful inside and out. It is a luxury. It does not have a single scratch or graffiti on the outside, "because it is the parents, the parents and the community who take care of it", says Liliana.

In a delicious event, the bakers' trade association of Santiago (INDUPAN) chose the Alto Belén kindergarten of Hogar de Cristo, in Puente Alto, as the setting to celebrate Children's Day. Cookies, juices and cakes were the stars of the day, delighting the little ones present and adding even more joy to the occasion. The endearing INDUPAN characters joined the party, infecting the more than 50 children with their energy, laughter and dancing.

Hogar de Cristo's Alto Belén kindergarten became the epicenter of a delightful event when the little ones came face to face with the stars of the day: Marraquetín and the endearing Mr. Panadero. In the blink of an eye, their expressions went from anticipation to absolute wonder.

"Episodes like these give deep meaning to much of the work we do with families and children," shares Estrella, kindergarten educator and director of Jardín Alto Belén. "The nice thing is that not only the children celebrate, the moms also dance and sing as if they were children again, it's great."

"As a mother, it is very nice to see the affection given to your child on his or her day, it moves me, one does not always have the resources to celebrate in this way, it is a gift," said a very excited mother from the Hogar de Cristo kindergarten.