Llego/Arrived

Landed 8:30am in Chile- thankfully no time change, just horribly tired from the long flight.  I spent two nights in a hotel that unfortunately did not have Internet access so I felt completely disconnected.  But now I am live. I have had three days of really wonderful meetings. Plus I did a wee bit of shopping- it is freezing here, had to!

Chile is such an interesting country that is a true blend of my experiences in Central America and Spain.  Some areas are very colonial and where I am staying is very similar to Madrid with many high rises, trendy restaurants, shops for your every need. The contrast is significant from neighborhood to neighborhood.

I am already struck by how well the NGO's are connected to the Government and how thoughtful they are in the creation of programs. Oddly enough while they consider themselves a conservative country, mostly from social and moral aspect (Abortion is completely illegal in all cases) they have so many structures in place that blow us away.  Example the pill (oral contraception) is completely free with your public benefits and a sliding scale for all women.  Sex education is common place in schools. The big debate currently is whether or not the morning after pill should be available free.  Also while abortions are completely illegal there are a large network of doctors who perform abortions and if they are caught the penalty is minor.

They also recently passed a juvenile law that ensure that 14-17 years are not tried as adults.  Again in the instances of adolescents the NGO's we met with work closely with the government to receive the referrals directly from Juvenile court to work with the adolescents. They consider the work with adolescents as a responsibility of social inclusion and social responsibility.

There is an amazing organizations (SERNAM) that is a part of the Federal government and there role is to promote the equality of women.  The current sub secretary reports to the Presidential Executive Cabinet level.  The current sub secretary was named by the president himself. Can you imagine a federal office with a budget to promote equality! They describe Chile's women movement as before Bachalet and after Bachelet.

I also met with clients at an intensive (9am-5pm) outpatient treatment facility.  This was an amazing place.  The clients are 100% part of the planning and operations of the center and the staff share in all that happens.  they prepare meals together and eat with the women.  The love and support this staff had for the women brought me to tears.  In Chile women are highly stigmatized for using drugs and are completely cast out of their communities.  I could go on and on about this program.  It was a true integration of client centered approach and teaching women to return the environments that influenced their use.  The founder is the wife of a Senator who we met and 100% committed to these women and raising funds for services.

Finally this weekend is Chile's independence day.  Not just any independence day- the bicenntenial.  With a year that has included an earthquake and the miners it is an especially special time here in this courty.  There are flags every where and wonderful signs of unity.  The symbol of the flag to them at this time they feel represents strength and unity to carry on, en la lucha!

I miss Lola and Robert terribly but have find even the short time I have been here very humbling.

besos y abrazos