CHILEAN TIES
June 26 - July 10, 2010
Highlights  Chilean Ties is about celebrating memories while creating new ones. Santiago is a cosmopolitan city rich in history. You’ll hear about the people who shaped Chilean history while visiting the Catedral and La Moneda Presidential Palace. Travel next to Temuco, the second largest city in southern Chile. In addition to being the gateway to Chile's Lake District, this area is home to many people of Mapuche (the indigenous people of southern Chile) descent. Visit a Mapuche Village where a village elder will talk about his culture and traditions. Continue to the village of Pucon, on the shores of Lake Villaricca. Following your return to Santiago, get your feet wet in the Pacific Ocean when spending a day in the port city of Valparaiso and the resort area of Vina del Mar.
 Families traveling with The Ties Program often express a desire to connect with children in beneficial and meaningful ways. Thanks to the generosity of past Ties families, some needs of orphanages and child care facilities have been met. A highlight of the journey, spending time with children at these facilities inspired a wish to do more. Chilean Ties is thrilled to make this dream possible in 2010 through a partnership with Semilla y Esperanza Children’s Home. Founded about ten years ago, this home helps children considered to be at social risk from one of the poorest areas of Santiago. About 15 children between the ages of 4 and 15 years of age live at this home during the school week under the care of two adults. All the children attend school daily. Every other weekend, the children return to their family home. Helping with home improvement projects while the children are at school and playing with the kids when they come home are just two ways for you to Discover the Difference. But the biggest discovery has less to do with what you’ll do and more to do with the children you’ll meet and the memories you create together.
Returning to Chile is a memory filled experience for families. Stories seem to come alive for your child about that special time as you visit a favorite  restaurant or walk down a familiar street. You may also remember Chileans important early in your child’s life. Visiting with a foster mother or translator may be possible while traveling with Chilean Ties.
Traveling as a family to your child’s country of birth fosters understanding, nurtures pride and creates memories. We hope that after your participation in Chilean Ties you will smile when seeing the moon and say: “I am not the same having seen the moon shine on another part of the world.”
READ WHAT FAMILIES HAVE TO SAY:
How would you describe Chilean Ties to a friend? "Words can't describe how wonderful this has been for me." ~Ashley Husby, age 16
"Exciting, unforgettable, fun and making friendships that will last a lifetime," is how I would describe Chilean Ties to a friend. ~Natalie Wolf, age 15
"It is important for me to learn about my culture, see where I was born, and meet and see people who look like me." ~Isabel Gordon, age 17
Do you think it was important for you to visit Chile? "Yes, it's a part of my life!" ~Chris Sclafani, age 17
"This trip provided our daughter keys to her questions about her identity and heritage and continued to nurture an ever-growing love of Chile and the people we meet there." ~Michele Sumara
For more information, contact The Ties Program or request an Informational Packet.
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