We are a non-governmental non-profit organisation, founded in 1985 by two former graduates, Maria-Elvira and Luis-Maria Nicora, who returned to Argentina after their graduation from the UC Louvain. Challenged by the problems of street children, the Nicora's put together an interdisciplinary team to create the Fundacion Emmanuel of which the objective was to help children who unfortunately had no possibility to live and grow surrounded by family. Reality showed that many of these children just could not grow within their own families. This fundamental right was not granted to them, reason why the Nicora's created through the Fundacion a new solidarity model unseen in Argentina before. With time, the Fundacion realised the biological parents needed also help. The Family Reinforcement Programme was born next to the Support to Families in difficulty.
Nous sommes une organisation non-gouvernementale, sans but lucratif fondée en 1985 dans le but d’aider ces enfants qui n’ont pas la chance de vivre et de grandir comme une famille. La réalité a montré que bon nombre d’enfants vivaient dans des institutions parce que leurs parents ne pouvaient pas les élever. Un des droits de l’enfant les plus élémentaires : la vie en famille, n’était pas remplie. C’est pourquoi nous avons mis en place un modèle d’action de solidarité qui n’avait jamais été pratiqué avant en Argentine.
Avec le temps, nous avons compris que la famille biologique de ces enfants avait, elle aussi, besoin de notre aide. Afin de se joindre à eux tout en éduquant leurs enfants, nous avons créé le Programme de Renforcement de la Famille et celui du Soutien aux Familles en Difficulté.
Todo empezó en 1962, cuando María Elvira y Luis María Nicora, el matrimonio fundador, estudiaban en la Universidad de Lovaina, Bélgica. Allí conocieron un modelo de ayuda a niños y niñas llamado Acogimiento Familiar. Un modelo que no existía en Argentina, donde la única alternativa para los chicos que vivían situaciones de dificultad en el seno familiar era la vida en los hogares o institutos de menores. Algo mejor para ellos era posible. Y María Elvira y Luis María emprendieron el recorrido para que fuera una realidad en nuestro país, convirtiéndose además en la primera familia acogedora al recibir a siete hermanos en su hogar, un ejemplo que guió el trabajo de la
David Raemdonck van Megrode
Administrator - Chair
Geraldine van den Brande
Administrator - Secretary
Maria Natacha Nicora
Administrator
Anthony Leroy
Administrator - Treasurer
Phil Rutten
Active member
Geneviève Gabry
Active member
Laura Alonso
Active member
Anne Vandenbroucke
Active member
Some are going, others are joining in. The Belgian team of the Fundacion Emmanuel is very much alive and kicking.
Why not, joining us for an event or more !
1962-1968: María Elvira y Luis María Nicora discover in Belgium the "Foster Family" model.
1985: Professionals and friends join the founding couple to develop a project
1987: The Fundacion Emmanuel gets a legal identity
1988: The founding couple welcomes a first group of 7 brothers in foster care.
1989: First conference on Foster Care families.
1992: The first Centre is created in the Colonia Urquiza Community in cooperation with the La Plata Municipality and the General Board of Schools.
1994: Opening of the “Rey Balduino” Encounter and Family Outreach Centre.
1999: Opening of the administrative Headquarters in Colonia Urquiza.
2003: Organisation of the first International Congress in Argentina on Foster Families with 33 participating countries.
2004: Preparation and presentation of the project Law "Foster care: A right" to the national Chamber of Representatives .
2004: Organisation of the first Latin-american forum on "Foster Care: A family Law".
2006: Opening of the Rapid Intervention “Tía Kiki”
2010: Starting the construction of the Welcome Centre for Young disabled adults