05/05/2010

Chile Earthquake Solidarity: Special Volunteer Programme

After the massive earthquake which devastated many places in Chile's South Central regions, there has been a number of solidarity efforts to help the most affected people and places.

As a response to the damage caused by the catastrophe, thousands of people joined volunteer groups to organise and distribute the help to cope with the most immediate needs. However, the initial enthusiasm has has decreased as time passes.

Most of the volunteers have gone back to their studies and activities and have limited time to devote to sustained efforts to bring things back to normal (e.g. to build the 20.00 emergency homes needed.) Both the material and psychological impact for all those affected and damaged by the earthquake demand a lot of work in the long run. Special earthquake relief programmes, private institutions and a network of volunteers are joining efforts to reconstruct Chile.

EIL Chile has identified one of the most affected zones in Chile's Vl region to develop a long term solidarity volunteer programme to help diminish the material and psychological impact of those who have lost their homes, lifetime efforts, community infrastructure and hopes.

We would like to focus all our efforts on a location named PICHIDEGUA contributing with qualified and non-qualified volunteers to the demands of the community and authorities in aspects such as home and community construction, health assistance and community projects amongst others. A continuous system and flow of volunteers will produce changes and the necesary results that the community seeks to regain confidence and recuperate their territorial identity, sense of community and pride.

Some of the goals and tasks we would like to acheive with the help of EIL volunteers and the commitment of the Pichidegua authorities are:

* Rebuild the 'Casa de la Musica', a community building used by children and young people for teaching and practising music.
* Support the home building and reconstruction of the cultural centre
* Improve health facilities in the local rural clinic and assist with health care provision
* Improve building conditions at the open house for the Elders
* Interact with locals and young people.

More Information: www.eiluk.org

EIL UK