MES Summer Fun 2025 events draw large crowds

More than 200 people attended the Summer Fun 2025 events, organized by the María Elena Sostenible (MES) program, which is sponsored by SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition and carried out by Fundación Factor de Cambio in collaboration with neighbors and various local companies and institutions.

The programming included 12 workshops such as water aerobics for older adults, with low-impact exercises to improve and enhance physical condition and well-being, and recreational and sports activities for children like water games, basketball, soccer and baseball, ending with a recreational outing to Tocopilla. There was also a 12 km nighttime family bike ride on the bicycle path connecting María Elena, Coya, Vergara and Pedro de Valdivia and a talk on astro-tourism and stargazing.

Mario Gonzalez, territorial manager for MES, said: “The events were a success. We are very happy and grateful because this was achieved in collaboration with local entrepreneurs and suppliers. This is precisely what moves those of us at the Sustainable Maria Elena Program, working together with local residents for local development.”

Marcela Olivos, head of Pampa Community Affairs at SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition, said: “The Sustainable Maria Elena program and its vision to develop the community are very meaningful for us, so we are grateful to have been part of the workshops held throughout February for children, teens and adults in our community. It is important to promote sports and recreation in an inclusive manner, which is why we have once again participated in the Summer Fun program organized by María Elena Sostenible, SQM and Fundación Factor de Cambio.”

Testimonials

The water aerobics class was attended by older adults and users of the Local Support and Care Network in María Elena. Camila Rosales, community manager for the program, said: “We are extremely grateful for the partnership forged with MES, a collaboration that has positively impacted the lives of our users and their primary caregivers, motivating them to get out of their homes to clear their minds and participate in self-care activities. This has helped the municipality support us with a new initiative— water aerobics classes with our physical therapists—letting us use their swimming pools and promoting inclusion and social participation.”

Another activity was the Evening Bike Ride. Yarela Guerra, one of the participants, commented: “It was a beautiful experience because we got to see more of the pampas. We also enjoyed astronomy, the stars and along the way they told us stories that are very meaningful for us, to teach us about our territory.”

Children also gave testimonials about the recreational days, emphasizing the outing to Tocopilla, with a tour of the “El Diamante” baseball stadium and El Salitre beach. Alexander Súarez, 11, commented: “I really enjoyed playing baseball, getting to see all that and enjoying the beach.”

Meanwhile, Katia Ortega, 9, said: “I had never been to the stadium or this beach. The activities were very nice. What I liked the most was the beach, because it’s a lot of fun to find shells, play with the water and make sand castles.”

Matías Martínez, Outreach Manager for Fundación Factor de Cambio (the entity in charge of MES), expressed his gratitude to the participants and invited everyone to continue participating in initiatives put on by María Elena Sostenible. “We appreciate the many María Elena families who participated in the Summer Fun events and we hope that more people will sign up to participate in MES, to continue doing projects to develop our territory.”

The MES 2025 Fun Summer workshops were taught by local teachers and guides, like Diego Ríos (water aerobics); the Newén group (recreational and sports activities); and Pimiento Tour (night bike ride), based on the MES participatory and sustainable model, which seeks to improve the quality of life of María Elena residents.