the 2nd newsletter, Dec 2006

Chicco's Christmas is a Christmas of solidarity

 

It is Christmas again. A special Christmas for those who are counting the days before the arrival of their own baby; for those who have just opened the door of their home to the happiness of a child; for those who are preparing to give children the unforgettable joy of a wonderful atmosphere of excitement and surprise. It is also a special Christmas for those who discover that their children are now "grown up", but their desire for sharing, for affection and serenity has always been, and always will be the same. Living Christmas within the warmth of a family is a desire is ageless. A dream that belongs to everybody. Also to those who cannot remember a "special" Christmas or never had one. Let's try therefore to give a deeper meaning to our Christmas, so rich in emotions and joy. None of us can change the world, but by giving something more than a thought, it is possible to contribute to the construction of a project that can give a hope of a better future to others. Chicco has already done just this, supporting for some time now the Amici Dei Bambini Association, an international humanitarian organization established to defend the rights of children and to allow every abandoned child to be able to live and to grow up in a family. A great project that everyone can participate in with a gesture of sharing. A simple gesture, which can also involve older children to educate them on solidarity. A simple gesture which is capable, however, of giving a special meaning and value to the magic of the Christmas.

 

To guarantee the right to be son or daughter to every child. This is the objective that the AI.BI., Association – Amici Dei Bambini has set itself: to fight abandonment, the fourth humanitarian emergency of the XXI century.

An emergency that interests not only the poorer countries but also the richer and more advanced western world. With 10 centres in Italy, 130 Amici Dei Bambini points and 25 centres abroad, AI.BI. promotes its commitment with tangible interventions, which aim to resolve the problem of abandonment and to finally give children who live in care centres, orphanages and Institutes the hope to be able to enjoy one day the love of a mother and a father.

 

Chicco has always been particularly sensitive and attentive to the needs of children and chose to participate in the AI.BI. mission in a forceful manner from 2003 with its own project called "They Close the Institutes, we open the families". The purpose of this initiative is to create Family Houses all over Italy that can welcome the children that have been living until now in Institutes, which will close within December 31st.

The objective is without doubt important and imperative but the path that leads to its realization is long and complex. For this reason Chicco has committed itself to working along side AI.BI, providing its experience during the preparation, promotion and development of the project. Thanks to the effort of AI.BI. and Chicco a "Service Centre for the Family" has already been opened in Naples that supports and takes care of fostering families. In Milan the project has led to the opening of a community centre for minors that foresees the constant presence of a mother and a father, and in Mestre in 2005, a Family House was opened, which has become a reference point for the couples who have taken in a fostered child. Nevertheless, the projects are not enough to face the emergency in a global manner: with just a few days to go before the Institutes close, there are still many, too many, children who don't have a hope of becoming a "son or daughter".

 

For this reason Chicco and Amici dei Bambini have chosen this year to take a step that, with the collaboration of all of you, could turn out to be decisive: to appeal to the Italian families involving them in the project in the most simple way possible. All that is needed is a small contribution to buy a "gommottino", a simple soother, from one of the Chicco shops, a symbol of the commitment of all of use to assure a more serene future to the so many children still looking for a family. The "gommottini" are available in 4 colours, each of which represents a need of children: a hug, a caress, a kiss, but, above all courage. That of the adults. Something that, one day, could help to make a family decide to welcome a less fortunate child into the family. And to give him, tomorrow, who knows what marvellous sensations, the unique and eternal sensations of a Christmas that is, at last, special.