Report from SOS Children's Villages, November 2011

Dear Friends,

As the year comes to an end, with the festive spirit spread in the air, we would like to thank you for believing in our endeavour and lending support so as to enable us to make a significant difference in the lives of innocent children who have been robbed of the safety and sanctuary that is provided by the family. We the members of SOS Children's Village would like to come together in expressing our gratitude for your benevolence, on which thrives our efforts. Following is a brief overview of the work that has been done in the village.

SOS Children's Village

Presently we are providing for 156 children and 46 adolescents. All of them are receiving education and it is heartening to note their progress. 96% children successfully passed out their respective classes and promoted to senior classes. This year 8 children qualified Class X Board Examinations and 4 children passed Class XII Board Examinations with good marks.One boy got chance for the Bachelors in Hotel Management in State Institute of Hotel Management. Three boys are admitted in Graduation in Science and Arts under Calcutta University. Two girls are under job training in reputed beauty clinics in Kolkata after completion of the course. Marriage of 2 girls were solemnized during the year and 17 youngsters were provided financial help through their money gift savings for settlement and for building their own houses, during the year.

The renovation of 15 family houses and coworker's residence is complete. The repair and colouring of water tank along with proper water treatment is done to ensure safe drinking water for the village inmates. CFL lights are installed in family houses to save electricity.

We ensure that our children and mothers are provided with timely medical facilities. On 15th January, a dental camp was organized Children and mothers were provided guidelines for maintaining healthy teeth. Also a cancer awareness workshop was held for mothers and adolescent girls.

Other than education and healthcare, efforts are also taken to ensure the overall development of the personalities of the children and providing a conducive work environment to the mothers and co workers.

While the major festivals like republic day, Lohri, Holi, RakshaBandhan etc. were celebrated with great fervour to add to the family environment and foster in the children a sense of community. In April 2011 children and mothers celebrated Bengali New Year "PoilaBaishak". They brought new clothes, decorated houses, offered flowers to deities and prepared sweets in their homes. A cultural programme was organized by the children on the occasion in the evening. World Earth Hour was celebrated in the village. All electrical lights of the vilage campus were switched off for two hours. All the mothers and children were aware of the significance, they lit candles and did their normal family chores.

Apart from being promising students, some of our children are also shining in sports and extra-curricular and other talent based activities. One of our girls won 3rd prize in 800m race organized by Bidhannagar Sub divisional Sports Association. Twenty local schools participated in the race. In the month of July 2011 Cognizant with 40 of ite members organized various competitions on drawing, group dance and games for our children and planted trees in the village. A career guidance workshop was organized in the village where 30 children participated, enhancing their learning abilities.

Family Strengthening Programme

The FSP is our approach to make positive interventions in the lives of families with children who due to various practical constraints cannot be brought under the fold of the SOS Children's Village. At present we are supporting 198 families and 320 children and promoted 12 self help groups, providing them training on different activities on income generation activities like cattle rearing, cloth selling, stitching work, woode fibre selling etc.. In the month of March 2011 an awareness programme on balanced diet and nutrition was organised. Thirty caregivers and 25 children participated in the programme.

All in all it has been a fruitful and rewarding year for the children and workers at SOS Children's Village. This letter was a small attempt to keep you abreast with the constructive work that was put in. It wouldn't have been a success without your generosity for which the SOS family along with the children are indebted.

Season's Greetings & A Happy New Year 2012

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