Compartimos a continuación, la versión en inglés del artículo "Contigo es posible" sobre la Teletón. Conocé qué es la teletón, sus orígenes y la actual campaña que actualmente se realiza en Nueva Helvecia para ayudar a cientos de niños. Para una rápida traducción: -Ingresar a la barra de idiomas-

Where there is a bottle top, there is hope

By Helen Bernatzky

Nowadays and specially in Latin American countries the word Teletón is used in reference to a fundraising event broadcast on television that lasts many hours or even days. The main and unique purpose is to raise money for a charitable and worthy cause: child rehabilitation. The money obtained, after thousands of caring donations, is used to help beautiful children with disabilities.

 Generally, the event lasts two days. It is covered on TV and radio, being both channels a great tool to give the event the wide promotion it deserves. During the coverage, a great number of children are interviewed with their families. These Families, coming from all parts of the country, have chosen Teletón to give their sons the necessary treatment on their physical difficulties. During those days, we all get to know hundreds of amazing life stories that touch our hearts. Aside from that, there are little festivals with entertaining shows with the aim of attracting people to collaborate with the cause as well as companies that donate important sums of money.

 As a matter of fact, the first Teletón in America was performed in Chile in 1978. Later on, the idea was grasped by other countries. Many of the teletones of Latin America are associated with the International Organization of Telethones; (in spanish ORITEL) which counts with fifteen members: Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú, Venezuela and Uruguay. Moreover, there are a few countries that during the last years have been supporting Teletón such as: Australia, Spain, France, United Kingdom and Germany.            

                  

URUGUAY. The first Teletón  in Uruguay was organized in November 2003. The Teletón foundation in this country was created to ensure the existence of a comprehensive rehabilitation centre for children and teenagers of the whole country. The building was raised in the capital city, Montevideo. The techical objective of the foundation is to help with the several disabilities (neuro, muscular, etc.,) and to make this achievable (in financial terms).

Once a year, Teletón is transmitted by all the television channels and radio for 25 hours. The last event, held on 2012, was transmitted on November 30^th and December 1^st.  The slogan was: Join us. With you is possible. Due to the great generosity of Uruguayan people, the foundation raised 92 million of Uruguayan pesos (4.8 millon dollars). In addition, every year more people join Teletón not only to make the cause grow but also to become a volunteer and take part in the wonderful adventure of helping others. The foundation also has an official anthem written by Daniel Drexler and Ana Prada; both Uruguayan singers and composers.

Ulma Rodriguez, 78. 

NUEVA HELVECIA. Situated in the east of Colonia province, Nueva Helvecia can pride itself on having one of the most creative campaings of Teletón since 2009. The leader is Ulma Rodriguez, a great and full of energy woman aged 78! She is the face of the campaign Where there is a bottle top, there is hope. Since her granddaughter had an accident and suffered from serious injuries, Ulma promised herself to join a foundation to help other children in their rehabilitation. She joined Teletón and since then, has not stopped working. Ulma invented the saying of the campaign (where there is a bottle top, there is hope) and started recollecting bottle tops from everyday use. The first day she gathered 13 bottle tops and after 1 year she had 1.200.000. The next year and after a whole year of hard work, she and her team which includes families, supermarkets, different companies and also young volunteers, reached a figure of 12 million of bottle tops. In 2011, the number grew to 50 million and in 2012 to 200 million. The more they gather, the more they help. Every single bottle top is sold to recyclers in exchange of money. The gain goes entirely to the foundation. “It was certainly not easy to make others engage with this project. I live in a town of about 40 families and nobody knew what the bottle tops were for. I had to explain to them and wait for their collabaration. As the time went on, I had a lot of people supporting this cause and now I receive bottle tops donations from every corner of the country. We have moved forward, not backward” Ulma pointed out.