Sponsor's update letter from Chennai

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Chennai, July 2008

Dear Friend,
I am happy and privileged to share with you about the recent developments at SOS Children’s Village, Chennai.

During the last six months period we have brought home 11 children consisting of 3 boys and 8 girls. The total strength of our village at present is 135 consisting of 102 girls and 33 boys living in 14 family homes with the love and care of 14 mothers. On the academic front, 13 of our children are attending the Kindergarten in the Village, 104 children are studying in schools in classes I - XII. Out of the 135 children on the role 7 children are staying in outside hostels and come home only during the holidays. 35 boys in the age group of 14 and above are continuing their studies by staying at the SOS Youth house which is located at a distance of about 2 kms from the children’s village.

Education :
During the 2007-2008 academic session 95% of our children got promoted and moved on to next higher grade. One of our boys who had completed class XII with first division joined 2 year Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in one of the colleges affiliated to Anna University near Chennai. One of our girls who had completed class XII with second division joined 3 year Diploma in Nursing in one of colleges affiliated to Dr MGR Medical University .3 girls who have passed class X have joined 2 year Secretarial course at CSI Technical Training Institute, Coimbatore. 6 girls who have passed class X in first division joined class XI. 2 girls joined beautician course after class X. 2 girls after class X pass joined III year diploma course in “Bharatha Natyam” Dance at a Govt.Music College in Chennai city.

At university level, one of our boys who have completed B.E. ECE (Bachelor of Electronic and Communication Engineering) from Anna University affiliated college got selected in the campus interview and got a job in Infosys, Mysore as software trainee. One of our girls who have completed Bachelor degree in Tamil Literature will be joining B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) - Teacher’s Training course.

Achievements:
3 girls completed electronic mechanic course and working as trainee in different companies. 3 girls completed Diploma in Health Assistant Course and they are now working as Nurse Assistant in Hindu Mission Hospital in Tambaram. Two boys completed Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and got job in leading companies as mechanical engineers. One boy completed ITI Automobile and got job in Larsen and Tubro, Chennai a leading company in India. During the first half year period we were able to settle six of our grown up girls brought up in our families through marriages. They are leading a happy married life. With this we have so far conducted 106 marriages since (1979) inception of this village.

Activities through the year

Summer Holidays :
During this year's summer holiday, various activities were conducted for the children to improve their academic performance and all round performance and development. They also enjoyed one day outing to beach and movie hall. Children also attended Music class, drawing class, dance class and sports.

Mothers took their children for a one day outing to beach, movie hall and theme parks during summer holidays.

55 of our children studying in classes VII to IX took part in a two days Personality Development camp conducted by Rotaract club in Chennai. The children enjoyed the camp and where they had an opportunity to interact with children from other organisations. The children also participated in cultural programmes.

Celebrations :
29th Anniversary of our Chennai village was celebrated in the month of January. Children performed cultural programmes. We had conducted various games for children, mothers and coworkers and also for the mothers and children supported under Family Strengthening Programme (an outreach programme by SOS) participated and won prizes. A community dinner was organised for everyone on the occasion.

Events & Enrichment Programmes :
Puppet show was organised at the village on 30.1.2008. A play titled - “The tree of life “ based on preservation of the environment by conservation of flora and fauna and other natural resources available on the earth was organised in the village with the help of Ms Bridgette Revelli and her troupe. The play combined techniques of puppetry like shadow puppets, mask puppets, street theatre and play techniques like mono acting to drive home the message.

As part of popularising our work and fund raising, a musical concert organised where Ms Tara Venkatesan, 12 year old girl, who is a grand daughter of former President of India R. Venkataraman performed western classical music dance at Museum Theatre in Chennai city on 5th January 2008. Mr L Subramanian, a famous violinist was the chief guest. Mr S Sandilya, President - SOS India attended the function and graced the occasion. He has distributed mementoes to the artists.

Family outreach

Awareness programme on Micro and Small Business opportunities for the FSP mothers held on 24.2.2008 at the village by BYST (Bharat Yuva Shakti Trust). A one day awareness programme on “Micro Business Opportunities” for FSP mothers organised at our village on 9.3.2008. The Resource person Team is from Speed Trust.

40 children from our village and 20 children supported under Family Strengthening Programme attended Earth Day function at C.P. Ramaswamy Foundation on 22.4.2008. The C P Ramasamy environmental centre celebrated earth day in a unique yet effective way. The theme for the celebration was bringing back the birds a side of the environmental problem that has never been explored before. On the occasion, a book entitled Birdywood Buzz written by Shamim Padamsee was released on the occasion by noted theatre actor from the Madras Players, Mr P C Ramakrishnan. The first copy of the book was handed over to one of our girls Vaishnavi.

Mothers Day was celebrated in our village on 10.5.2008. Children performed cultural programme and entertained their mothers. They made handmade bouquets and presented it to their respective mothers and got blessed by them. After lunch at the village mothers proceeded for movie hall to watch a new Tamil movie in a famous movie hall at Chennai and enjoyed some hours in the Besant Nagar beach. They returned to village after having dinner at a restaurant in Chennai city.

In May’08 a workshop on “Science Sense” was conducted for the children in class VII to Class X. children were exposed to lab experiments to understand the basic concepts of science. .

Facilities :
The SOS Primary School is continuing to impart good education to the children in the primary classes to the children from our village and also from the nearby areas. Children enjoy studying in the Montessori education system and Young Indians “Akshara” system of education.

The SOS Medical Centre is continuing to provide quality health care to the residents of the SOS Children's Village and also from the neighbourhood. We are able to reach out to a population of 24,000 people living in five villages through the Rural Health & Medical Outreach programme of the SOS Medical Centre.

Family Strengthening Programme :
Under the Family Strengthening Programme we are supporting 125 families consists of 265 children on their studies. We have conducted workshops on Career guidance, self- development and family life training for the children according to the age group. The development of the children is monitored closely and necessary counselling is provided to needy children.

We are very grateful for your invaluable support and continued association with SOS Children's Village, Chennai and because of which we where able to provide family based child care to number of needy children. The children, mothers and coworkers are all joining me in thanking you for your continuous support.

With best wishes, I remain.

Yours sincerely,
( M Srinivas )
Village Director