Daycare centre for earthquake-affected children in Italy

SOS Children's Villages Italy is organising a post-emergency relief programme for children who have lost their homes and who are suffering various symptoms of the post-traumatic stress disorder after a devastating earthquake hit the Abruzzo region in April this year.
SOSteniamo l'Abruzzo - We help the Abruzzo region!

You can help SOS Children's Villages Italy to give a smile back to the children. Donate now, to support the SOS Daycare Centre in St. Demetrio Né Vestini.

SOS Children's Villages Italy (SOS Villaggi dei Bambini) has established a daycare centre in San Demetrio Né Vestini, a small town in the province of L'Aquila. Started on 22 July and scheduled to be in operation at least for one year, up to 30 children (from eight to 13 years) and youngsters (from 14 to 17 years) are benefiting from the relief programme. In the first two months the centre is accommodated in a provisional shelter, in September it will be shifted to a permanent construction*.
 

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The children who are still living in temporary camps in San Demetrio Né Vestini are offered recreational and creative activities as well as educational support for being prepared for the official school start in September. In addition the SOS team is providing psychological support and counseling services for children and families to overcome their traumatic experiences.

"The SOS Daycare Centre has the aim to give back to the children and the teenagers their own space to play and to meet with each other under the expert care of our staff. It will also be a place where families can meet and be supported by professionals", said Enrico Mazzini, president of SOS Children's Villages Italy. "We would like to thank the Italian Red Cross, the Civil Protection and all the associations that supported us during the starting phase of this important project."
 

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Help children smile again! - Photo: Alexander Gabriel
SOS Children's Villages has a 60 years proven expertise in projects dedicated to hosting and supporting children, and SOS Children's Villages Italy is doing its best to help those who are in need of help to return to a normal life after the earthquake.

The earthquake of 6 April 2009 in Abruzzo has caused more than 300 deaths and has left 60,000 people homeless. Still many thousands have to live in temporary shelters, a situation especially challenging for children.

With a little help you can help SOS Children's Villages Italy to give a smile back to the children. Donate now, to support the SOS Daycare Centre in St. Demetrio Né Vestini.

*Financed by Villaggio SOS di Trento, Associazione Nazionale Alpini Trento and Tavolo della solidarietà Trentina.