Greetings from Siw in Bolivia

A seasonal greeting from our valuable coordinator in Bolivia, living her life between a rock and a hard place (ie being the liason between the Bolivia Family and the Salvation Army):

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Dear Friends,

Now we are very close to Christmas so I want to send you warm greetings! I hope you will have a very nice Christmas with your family and friends!

This is the 14 th time I celebrate Christmas in Bolivia. Now it is summer here, and it is starting to get very hot and a bit rainy, since the rainseason has just started. The shops have started to sell Christmas decorations and people have decorated with Christmas lights in the center of the city. At the main street "Prado" you can see the manger on display.

Many schools have started their summer holiday and the rest only have a few days left. The schools start up again in February. The Salvacion Army day care centers close right before Christmas and stay closed all January. Many of the children in our children's homes also go home and spend their Christmas and holiday with relatives.

The parents are very grateful for the day care centers so they can feel safe for their children while they are at work. The children get lunch, help with their homework and recreation. We hope our children that have the opportunity to go to school, really do their best. Because it is very important to study if you want a better life.

Dear sponsor, your help and your efforts are very meaningful. Thank you very much for what you do for the children in Bolivia through your contributions!

I wish You a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2009!

Siw