In 2024, Casa Ronald welcomed 463 families, recording over 2,100 visits, mainly from Valparaíso and San Antonio. Families come from vulnerable backgrounds and find themselves experiencing moments of high stress related to the hospitalization of their children, who are often very young: the most frequent age group is 0–2 years, followed by 6–8 years, in departments such as Neonatology, Child Surgery and Intensive Care Units.
A few years ago, an initial intervention was started to recover the terrace area, but the lack of resources allowed only part of it to be completed. The families themselves have signaled the urgent need for an adequate space where they can rest, regenerate and experience moments of relief.
What the project involves
The initiative involves the recovery and expansion of the terrace area, transforming it into a safe and livable environment, dedicated to the well-being of hosted families. The new space will be:
- Welcoming and inclusive, to allow moments of sociality and sharing.
- Functional and safe, suitable for outdoor rest and recreation.
- Sustainable and participatory, also achieved through consultations with families themselves, to better respond to their needs.
The aim is to reduce prolonged stress, prevent health consequences and strengthen the ability of families to accompany their children during their hospital journey.
The beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries will be 450 families who stay in Casa Ronald every year together with their hospitalized children.
The indirect beneficiaries will include over 900 people, including non-housed family members and members of the reference community. The staff and volunteers involved will also benefit from a healthier and more functional environment.
Project name: Recuperación de espacio familiar y comunitario
Proposing organisation: Fundación para la Infancia Ronald McDonald
Area of intervention: Health & Welfare
Country: Chile