Sponsor's update from Rourkela

Child sponsor update from the SOS Children's Village Rourkela, India Autumn 2008

Dear Friends,

It is a wonderful year again to be with you. We the family of SOS Rourkela have privilege to wish you a Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2009. May this year bring all happiness and success for you and your family. We express our sincere gratitude for your generous support.

Statistics
Presently we have 163 children comprising of 96 girls 67 boys living happily in 15 family houses. This year we have brought home 9 children (2 boys and 7 girls). They have now become the part of SOS family and are enjoying the new family home atmosphere.

Education
In the area of academics the results were good. This year 98% of our children passed their annual examination and were promoted to next higher classes. Saraswati made all of us proud by securing 78% percent marks in the class X Board examination. Presently she is pursing intermediate in Science stream in one of the reputed colleges of Rourkela. Two of our girls completed Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and one girl in Electrical engineering. Reeta cleared the Joint Entrance Examination for engineering and got admission in degree engineering course.

In the village nursery school there are 25 kids consisting of 5 boys and 20 girls. These tiny tots enjoy their Pre School training where lots of fun filled activities take place every day under the able guidance of two trained nursery school teachers.

Achievements
This year has been very exciting for our children in the sphere of extra curricular activities. Harish won 1st prize in Block level Science exhibition. He bagged a Gold Medal in the state level Karate Tournament and also got selected for National level Karate tournament held at Kolkatta. In a Group Dance competition organised by Youth Hostel Association of India four of our girls bagged 2nd prize. SOS mothers were felicitated by Rotary Club of Rourkela and Rotaract Club, NIT Rourkela on the occasion of the 40th year celebration of the establishment of Rotaract Club worldwide.

Activities at the children's village

To enrich our mothers, programmes on the topics like “how to guide small children”, “New and changing democratic parenting style” were organized in the village. All the mothers participated spiritual programme organized in the village where spiritual discourses were presented on various subjects related to our day to day living and bringing a right attitude in life.

Apart from academics, we organized many programmes for our children and adolescent boys and girls such as Career Counselling Workshop and Psychological Counselling. Regular Yoga, Physical Training and Spiritual classes have also been organized for the children inside the village. Our children experienced many new things after their visit to the Science Train and AZADI EXPESS, which came to Rourkela for few days.

In the summer vacation this year different competitions like sports, essay and quiz were organized for the children where most of them participated eagerly. On the occasion of SOS Day the winners of these competitions were given their prizes.

Immunization Camp for Hepatitis- B (1st dose and 2nd dose) was organized in the Village in collaboration with Max New York Insurance Company.

Like every year various festivals were celebrated. This year SOS Day on 23rd June marked the 89th Birthday celebration function of Dr. Hermann Gmeiner. All the children dressed with beautiful clothes along with their mothers decorated their house and the entire village basked in a festive mood. All the youths from youth House came to celebrate this occasion in the village. The formal function was organized in the village premises in the afternoon. On 10th May SOS Mother’s Day was celebrated in the village with much enthusiasm. In the evening a cultural show was organized by the children. Gifts were presented to mothers and aunts.

Support programmes

Youth Facility
This year four boys from the Village were shifted to Youth house. Now 23 youths are in the roll of Youth house. Out of this eleven youths are pursuing Vocational Courses, two are attending college, and ten are studying in high school. Enrichment programmes on Career Exposure, Child Rights & Responsibilities, Banking, Loan and insurance were organised in the Youth house where all the youths participated actively. All the youths also attended the Youth camp organised by the “Divine Life Society” and learned Yoga, Character Building & memory development techniques and got spiritual exposure.

Community Programmes
Under the Family Strengthening Programme 96, beneficiaries and their 225 children are being supported. Our Social Centre offers specific services, which includes Education, Nutrition, Health and Trainings. Under education, 12 pre-school learning centers are being run in 12 villages where 457 children (211 boys and 246 girls) below 6 years of age are enrolled.

Presently we have 7 partners for different communities. 26 meritorious students are receiving scholarship under FSP and 7 children are undergoing vocational training in different trades through the State Employment Mission.

A Self-Helf Group from Jabapanposh participated in the All India level Art and Craft fair. The exhibition has participants from 16 states of India exhibiting their products in 160 stalls. The members of the SHG representing SOS prepared fancy jewelry items and displayed the same in the exhibition.

Dear Friend! All these have been possible because of your generous and consistent support. We also greatly admire your valuable contribution for furthering a noble cause. We hope and believe that the bond of friendship between us will be further strengthened in the years to come.

With Best Wishes & Warm Regards.
Yours Sincerely,

H.P. Mahapatra
Village Director