Connie Page Eight
We work together as a team, a "family team", and all have their specific tasks. Logically, the SOS mother plays the central role. The second educator brings specific aspects from outside with her and, most of all, her own personality, which can be an enrichment for the family. In addition, we have two educational co-workers, who act as advisors for each of the family teams. Once a week we have a meeting where we all discuss matters of concern, try to reach a consensus and come to agreements. If it involves any extra costs, we put in an application to the village director. We involve the village director in the decision-making process, if there is an extremely important decision to be made, such as changing schools or whether a child needs to go to a psychiatric ward on long-term basis.
Of course, I don't have to wait a whole week if I need to make a decision here in the house. I work very closely together with the second educator and there is constant communication. If the team model is installed well, the process well-supported, and openness and trust the magic words, I think that it will work well. What I think is important is that everybody has to be able to identify with his or her role. The project does not foresee two SOS mothers working in one house. Rather, it will be that the SOS mother lives and works here and the second educator will help with the normal working day and will go home afterwards.
There is a lot of talk about the village community. Is there such a thing in your SOS Children's Village?
Yes, we have one. We actually do a lot of things together, properly, with the whole village. We have traditions such as the "school report party" before the children go away in the summer holidays, or at Christmas. Then we have spontaneous things, as when somebody says they're having a bonfire and anybody who wants to come, can do. Other times we just meet at the playground and have a chat. It's also just normal life. Of course, we also help each other out in emergencies.
Connie's Story:
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All these mother's stories come from SOS Children's Village Hermann Gmeiner Academy. Copyright is reserved and no unauthorized use permitted. Use for non-commercial purposes may be requested. The interviews telling about the lives of some SOS Mothers form part of an interesting study on being a replacement Mother to children in need in SOS Children's communities worldwide.