Project for a Community Centre (“sede social”)

in Los Coipos Village

This project is being promoted by:

Support from:

• Volunteer Group “Levantemos Los Coipos”• Borders Exploration Group • Other independent volunteers devoting their free time to help.

Chilean Earthquake Overview Situation(according to a report in March 2010 issued by the Chilean Government)

• Over 200 aftershocks of magnitude higher than 5 on the Richter scale have rocked the country since the 8.8 quake of 27 February.

• Shelter: As of March 2010, the Government of Chile confirmed that 160,000 houses - 37% of which in Biobío - have been irreparably damaged or destroyed in the regions of Metropolitana, O’Higgins/Libertador, Maule and Biobío. Some 93,600 houses still need to be assessed in Maule and O’Higgins.

• Water and sanitation: Approximately 155,000 people in rural areas still do not have water and sanitation services. In urban areas, some 500,000 people are now serviced by water trucks or other alternative means.

• Education: Local authorities estimate that 1,260 schools have been significantly damaged. Alternative solutions need to be found for some 560,000 students.

Why “Los Coipos” village?

• Los Coipos is one of the many small rural communities in Hualañe, part of the Maule Region, in the interior of the country that find themselves isolated, and receive little help from the government and major aid organizations.

• The local muncipality of Hualañé has scarce resources and a large number of earthquake victims.

Mapa de ubicación

260 Km.

SANTIAGO

HUALAÑE

VII REGION DEL MAULE

Background Information: Los Coipos(Northeast Hualañé)

• Population: 250

• Number of families: 76

• Number of homes: 55

• Status of the homes after the earthquake: 37 are in the process of being demolished, 11 are reparable and 5 are habitable.

• There is potable water and electricity; the town has never had regular telephone coverage except for a satellite telephone.

Damages after the earthquake

General ObjectiveTo assist the 79 families victimized by the earthquake in the locality of Los Coipos.

Completed tasks to date:Phase 1: Emergency Assistance: 1. Supplying food, toiletries, and plastic tarps, 2. Conducting a census, 3. Salvaging reusable materials, 4. Recreation and emotional recovery, 5. Evaluating the houses, 6. Reparing a storage space, 7. Workshops on reconstruction and applying for subsidies

To do:Phase 2: Expanding Aid Coverage: Reconstruction of communal areas and assistance in applying for subsidies, addressing the medical and mental health needs of the communities, organizing community members for leadership and advocacy, construction of a school for the villages of Hualañe.

Why is there a need for a Community Centre?- The village´s previous sede social has been so badly

damaged by the earthquake it is unuseable as it is dangerous.

- The community centre is the heart of the community, used by:

- Old aged pensioners group – weekly meetings- Distribution of government Subsidiaries to local people- Home to medical visits- School , Church & Sports club functions- Meetings for the neighborhood group- All community events

Project: Community Centre (Sede social)

Why is there a need for a Community Centre?

- It is a place which unites the local people and will help to improve the communal social life and allow people to rebond.

- Storage place for communal belongings.- Help local inhabitants be involved in their own communitys

sustainable development.

Project: Community Centre (Sede social)

Present Status of Community Building