Sponsor's update from Sanankoroba, Mali

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Sanankoroba, Mali from Summer 2008

We have the great pleasure to send you the latest news of your sponsored child.

The children registered in our two (2) new family houses have adapted perfectly to the village life. The present total population amounts to 150 children (82 boys and 68 girls) in our fifteen (15) family houses.

At the end of 2007/08 school year exams, the success rates are 100% (8/8) at C.E.P. (Primary School Leaving Certificate) and 100% (5/5) at D.E.F (Junior High School Leaving Certificate). These good results are the results of a joint effort between the SOS mothers and aunts, SOS School and the Village teaching team in Sanankoroba and your unwavering assistance.

As for all the small ones of the nursery schools, their school year enabled the development of sensory, language and elementary mathematics. They also benefited from leisure during their trips and excursions to the Theme Park of Bamako, called Luna Park.

During the celebration of the End of Year Party, they showed their talent in choreography, traditional dances, and artistic restriction…. With such a dynamic and wonderful group, the SOS Kindergarten participates in various ceremonies for welcoming VIPs and to host village activities. They brilliantly participated to the recording of ORTM’s (Office of Radio and Television of Mali) Show "We the Children".

Working in partnership

The Family Strengthening Program supports the development of income generating activities of beneficiary families following their financial management, literacy, health, Child Rights training. It mobilizes communities in view to strengthen social cohesion. The current number of beneficiaries is four hundred sixty (460) children including sixty (60) registered in the nursery.

The nursery has become an area of happiness, health and joy for these children thus allowing their mothers to carry out their daily activities.

Concerning the child protection policy, the village participated in a conference on the phenomenon of children begging especially in the context of the current food crisis.

Last July, the village was visited by VIPs from the Autonomous Port of Dakar in Mali who has been very impressed by this action for children in need.

The youth of the SOS Hostel of Bamako emphasize sensitizing and advocacy on Child Rights.

At school level, the four candidates sitting for the Malian Baccalaureate passed their examination. This amounts to fifteen (15) the number of students in the different Faculties of the University of Bamako.

At the national level, the good rainfall continues to the great satisfaction of the people seriously shaken by the food crisis. Appropriate measures taken by the Government promote rice farming with the development of new farmland and the introduction of new varieties.

On behalf of your sponsored child, we wish you a Merry Christmas and wish you happy New Year full of health, happiness, prosperity and success in achieving your objectives while sending you our heartfelt thanks.

Dear foster mothers and fathers, please accept our deep gratitude.

Yours sincerely

MALLE CISSE
Director