Child sponsorship update from Conakry

As the second semester draws to an end, we would like, on behalf of our SOS Children’s Village Conakry and its projects to extend our thanks and appreciations for your continuous sponsorship and share with you the many activities that occurred in our Village and its ancillary projects.

Village
On December 25th the Mother Counsellor and SOS Mothers organized the SOS children birthday party at the recreation hall of the SOS Children Village. This celebration as custom is one of the best celebrations for the children to share with their SOS brothers and sisters and even friends from the community. Extended to December 31st they also held a dancing party marking the end of the year celebration with the presence of the National Education Advisor SOS Guinea, the Village Director and other staff of the Village. At mid-night, the Village Director, SOS Mothers, Aunties and other SOS staff present exchanged New Year wishes and the celebration continued with a grand dancing party.

During the month February, the National Education Advisor had a meeting with the Village Director and staff relative to the Manual of Emergency Procedures for SOS Guinea. Related issues were discussed.

Training
The SOS Mothers and Aunties completed their pedagogy training with two evaluations (one in psychology and another in functional literacy). They also had some lectures on children’s right Convention and then the African Child Right and Welfare. They also started training in psychology on the 4th of December 2007. Sewing, knitting and designing were other new methods they achieved during this training program.

Growing up at the village

Schools
The Nursery School in Conakry took part to a workshop of Restitution and authentication of integrated development standard program of Childhood on December 13 through 14th 2007 at the Ministry of Social Welfare.

On December 19th 2007 the Nursery School in Conakry celebrated the birthday party of 78 pupils at the Nursery. The Nursery school yard was well decorated for this purpose with balloons, flowers and many other beautiful and attracting decorations. This activity started by breakfast offered at 10: 0clock A.M and was then followed by music. All concerned children were gathered together and their friends sang happy birthday songs for them. They also shared foods like biscuits, juices and candies. Birthday candles were blown off and the rest of time was spent by the children dancing and singing in the nursery gardens. Christmas was also pre-celebrated at this moment with the presence for many pupils’ parents.

On April 26 as usual, sportive and cultural activities were organized in the SOS Children’s Village by the SOS Nursery School and the SOS Primary and Junior High School in Conakry. These activities commenced at 12: 30 PM by slogans of the family houses followed by presentation of members of the jury for the different competitions. Amongst many contests there were Running Race, Apples Picking, Toy Handling, Bag Jumping etc. At the end of these competitions winners were awarded their various prizes which they appreciated very well.

Youth Village
On April 20th 2008, health debate was organized at the SOS Children’s Youths Village which has as topic (Prevention of common diseases, such as Malaria, Cholera and Typhoid Fever). Our youths were very interested in topic and they actively took part to the discussions. On January 14, 5 boys from the SOS Children’s Village Conakry who have reached the aged of 14 were transferred to the SOS Children’s Youths’ Village in Conakry. Two educative topics lectures were organized in favour of our youths respectively on February 2nd (responsibility) and on the 16th (obedience).

Activities through the year

Partnership
On January 16th 2008, the SOS Children’s Village Conakry was honoured by the visit of the German Ambassador in Guinea. During his visit he extended his sincere thanks and appreciations to all staff for their well done job. He also visited the National Office and met with the National Office staff were important discussions were held.

Members of board of directors of the National Association in Guinea and those of National Office along with the Football Federation in Guinea signed a Protocol agreement on December 5th 2007. The SOS Youth Leader responsible for sportive and cultural activities met with Mr Soulayemane Chérif, member of the African Football Confederation/FIFA for an implementation of a training program (Football, Basketball, Volley and handball) in favour of the SOS Youths in Guinea and also those of the surrounding community.

Donations
Le Managing Director of the Bauxite Mining Company CBG accompanied by his assistant donated some toys to 52 day pupils and 8 SOS children in the Kindergarten.

Excursions
On March 28, children from the SOS Nursery School visited an agricultural Farm FRUGIADI, Coyah a city situated 26km far from Conakry. This visit was very important to pupils and they enjoyed site and landscape. They also appreciated being in contact with the nature. The discovered mountains, huge trees, beautiful birds and wild fruits.

On January 13 48 of our grown-up children visited the Marocana Swimming Pool in Conakry situated 13km far from our Village. They were accompanied by the Youths’ Leaders and Supervisor and also benefited some swimming training.

Political and Economical situation
Preparations for the Legislative Elections are underway. The Chief of the National Election Commission has visited many regions in order to explain electoral processes and sensitised the population for a free and fair election to come. All political parties concerned are also meeting their members and undergoing sensitisations for a high participation to the electoral process. The appointment of a new Primer Minister on May 20th 2008 wasn’t welcomed by some citizens while others appreciated the nomination and jubilated.

The depreciation of the Guinean Franc has been maintained since the appointment of the new Finance Minister. Notwithstanding, foodstuffs and other commodities are rarely seeing on the market; thus increasing their prices. Other improvements have been noticed like improved telecommunication systems and infrastructural constructions (roads and bridges).

Knowing that without your generous support, nothing of our dreams to help these children shape their own lives would become true, we would like, once again, to extend our thanks and appreciations for all your kindest support during this period and all that you continue doing.