“20 años abrazando las infancias”. This was our slogan as we celebrated 20 years of the Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza Children's Club, a social project run by the Teresian Association in Uruguay through an agreement with the State.
The Children's Clubs in Uruguay are social-educational centres that provide day care for children between 5 and 12 years of age. These centres are designed to accompany and complement family and school efforts by providing learning support, socialisation, development and nurturing so as to improve the quality of life of the children and their families.
The Teresian Association in Uruguay has been running one of these centres for 20 years in Nuevo Paris, a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Montevideo. There we have an agreement for the care of 50 children. This has recently been extended to 80 children. It works in counter shift to the 4-hour school day, in the mornings and afternoons.
Emotional moments
The 20th anniversary celebration included several events. The first of these was dedicated to the children who attend the Club every day. It was a show designed specifically for them.
This was followed by the arrival of their families, some members of the Teresian Association and several people who have worked with this Project at different times. Each of these groups had a chance to express themselves through words, gestures, songs, etc. and to express their gratitude for the experiences they have had over these 20 years.
There were some very emotional moments. There were tears as acknowledgement was given to those who have worked on this project and built it up. Some of those present were meeting each other for the first time in many years, and this brought much joy and laughter.
Of course, there was also delicious food to accompany the celebration. It was prepared by the Centre's kitchen team.
It was a great celebration of giving thanks for what we have experienced, and it gave us a real boost to keep moving forward.
Alejandra Pena, Montevideo.
TA Translators Team.
