Alalay children's home: Cristina's story

Last year the LATA Foundation funded all the equipment for a medical centre at the Alalay children's home, near Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Cristina had her 13th birthday on 24 September. This is her story:

“My mother is called Ana, my dad is called Enrique and I have a sister called Rocio.

I don’t know anything about my mother because when I was still young she abandoned us because my dad had problems with alcohol and she received constant beatings from him.  After my mum left us, my father took us to bars and clubs until the early hours of the morning whilst he got drunk.  He didn’t have any one to with whom to leave us, so a neighbour asked if my sister Rocio and I could come into Alalay, where we are very happy!!!

I am in the 7th year of primary school.  I really like doing my homework and playing with my friends.  I have lots of fun with my friends that live in my cabin.  We like dancing and singing in our free time.  Also I like working in the bakery and the textile workshop.  I like making things.  I can make necklaces and bracelets and I then give them to people who I like the most.

I am very happy at Alalay, where I am fed and helped with my studies and I play games.  We now also have a new medical centre where they have been looking after me because I wasn't feeling very well as a result of the poor food I ate before I came here and they are giving me medicine so that I can get better.

I’m going to tell you a secret!!!  The doctor said that I have to increase my weight and they are giving me vitamins and other things so that I will eat a LOT more.  The truth is that so far there have been really good results with this and I am feeling happier and calmer because I am going to be healthy.

I’ve got to go now because it’s time to go to school – bye!”

NB. Names have been changed.

Date added: 25 June 2011