For those who didn´t see the July newsletter, here goes the info:

The first three families graduated from Child Health Florianopolis´ two year multidimensional support programme on June 30th. Beyond the donations of medicines, food, bathrooms or houses, a core element of the programme´s longterm impact is to strengthen the mother of each family.      

One mother who was graduating, who has a child with chronic illness, said of the programme:  ´Before, I came here, I was nobody.  Nowadays you could say that I am a very different person.´   

Another mother said:  ´My life changed completely.  I didn´t know how to write and it was here that a teacher gave me my first  classes.  So I have gone back to study and I am still studying.´   

The social worker of the Children´s Hospital praised the programme saying that while the Hospital focuses on sickness, Child Health focuses on promoting life.  She also stated that two years ago they were questioning if one of the graduating families  was able to keep their child.  She concludes that now the family is greatly strengthened and the child´s health is improved.  Together, we have helped to keep this family united - congratulations.  

At the end of 2010, all of the families who responded to Child Health´s Family Satisfaction Survey stated that Child Health makes a positive impact in their lives, 87% of whom stated that it makes a large positive difference.  

CHILD HEALTH FLORIANOPOLIS GRADUATES  TOWARDS LOCAL SUSTAINABILITY

 ARCH´s three years of support to set up Child Health Florianópolis comes to an end in December 2011.   ARCH´s voluntary representative and Alastair´s widow, Bébhinn, will stand down from her post as Chairwoman of the local Board of Trustees and a local supporter will be elected to the position.  

ARCH was committed to fostering the local sustainability of Child Health Florianopolis from the beginning.   In its first year of operations, the local organization was required to raise 15% of its budget locally, 35% in year 2 and 50% in year 3 (2011).   The organization surpassed the matched funding requirements each year to date.   On June 30th, Child Health Florianopolis organised its largest local fundraising event yet, bringing together 330 people at its second Annual Benefit Pasta Party. 

Dr. Lucia Dellagnelo, Founder of Florianopolis´ Community Fund ICom and a local government official, who holds a doctorate in education and human development from Harvard University, attended the event.  She congratulated Child Health Florianopolis on the event and stated that: ´the success demonstrates that the community already knows and values the work of Child Health!´