Baby Arnol is welcomed by his new SOS Brother.

Their mother Sonia had become ill after Arnol’s birth and died within a few months. Their father, Alvaro, left home seeking work but never returned.

As commonly occurs in these cases, the brother and sister were separated. Arnol was taken to the Peruvian countryside to live with his grandmother, while Karen went into town to live with an aunt and a kind-hearted neighbor. Despite their good intentions, the women looking after Karen were too poor to provide for her. They could not provide a nutritious diet. As a result, Karen got sick. A doctor diagnosed her with chronic malnutrition. Luckily, the physician was familiar with the work of SOS Children's Village in Juliaca, Peru, so he immediately contacted the group.

SOS Known and Trusted in Peru For Three Decades

The doctor attending to Karen knew about SOS because the organization has been running SOS Children’s Villages, schools, and clinics in Peru for 35 years. SOS has also been on hand to help during natural disasters. The particular village he contacted is SOS-Juliaca, a relatively new Children’s Village that is one of eleven SOS Villages in Peru.

Juliaca, in southeastern Peru, is not far from Lake Titicaca, which straddles the Peru-Bolivia border.

In May 2011, both Karen and Arnol were rescued by SOS-Juliaca. There, the siblings received a warm welcome from their SOS Mother and new brothers and sisters. The whole SOS Village turned out with open arms to greet them, including dozens of children, a group of SOS Staff, and the Village Director.

To adjust to their new lives, Arnol and Karen rely heavily on Norma, their SOS Mother, and their three SOS brothers and sisters -- Vicente, Caricia, and Royer. “When Arnol and Karen arrived,” says Norma, “Royer felt a little jealous, but as they started playing together, they all became good brothers and sisters. Caricia likes to teach Arnol new words, so they get on with each other very well. They are all having a good time.” Karen has gained weight and she and Arnol are starting to thrive.

Help SOS Children's Villages continue to provide loving homes for orphaned and abandoned children.

For every Arnol and Karen who find safe refuge and a hopeful future at SOS Children’s Villages, there are so many other children who do not. Help us save more vulnerable boys and girls who have nowhere else to go. Sponsor a child today!