Rebuilding Kindergartens in Chile
United Way volunteers repair Chile's Florcita Silvestre kindergarten in 2019.
“I look back with joy in October 2019, when we were invited to support Florcita Silvestre kindergarten. Together with 25 volunteers, we helped create a brighter learning space for children located in the Municipality of Penco,” shares Pablo Bustamante. “Now, as the wildfires in January have reduced this one and other educational facilities in Bío Bío region to ashes, it fills me with deep sadness.”
As volunteer coordinator at United Way Chile, Pablo had spent years leading neighbors and companies in fixing up kindergartens, schools, painting classrooms, building playgrounds, and planting gardens. “The fires are affecting 767 children and young individuals, destroyed seven educational facilities, and damaged four preschools,” he says.
In partnership with United Way, Chile's National Board of Kindergartens serves the families who need it most. Those volunteer days weren't just about fresh paint drying in the sun or kids waiting for new swings. They were proof that when you invest in children, whole communities get stronger.
Two of the four affected kindergartens were destroyed completely. Since southern Chile is a rural community far from large cities, Marianella García Quiroz, executive director of United Way Chile, saw opportunity in the challenge. Her small but mighty team of three immediately got to work. "Pablo is the face of our organization in the field," she says, “and he knew they had to act fast.”
"Our main goal is to raise enough funds to repair the two remaining kindergartens so they can receive 200 children," Marianella explains.
Pablo says, “We’re facing a bigger task: to help rebuild these learning spaces and communities so children can return to a safe, welcoming environment. Their families are starting from scratch and we must stand with them.”
United Way Chile’s team has always embraced resiliency and positivity, mobilizing partners, volunteers, and donors to restore these vital community anchors. Now, United Way is making sure these schools can reopen so kids can get back to the classrooms, playgrounds, and gardens where they thrive best.