Child sponsorship update from Varanasi, India

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Varanasi, India from Winter 2008

Dear Friends,
With immense pleasure and utmost happiness, we bring to you greetings and best wishes from children’s, mothers and co- workers of SOS Children’s Village, Varanasi for Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New year 2009. We feel pride to share our progress, developments and achievements during the year.

Our Village:
Our Village has completed 24 years of service in childcare. At present, we have 221 children in the Village who are under the loving care of 18 dedicated mothers in 18 family houses. They all are grooming well in healthy environment.

Education:
The academic performance is more than satisfactory. At present, we have 32 children in Kindergarten, 159 Children are attending school / college.17 children are attending different Vocational courses and 13 are babies at home. Children appeared in board examination (C.B.S.E. & U.P. Board) have performed well. Now, they have been preparing for their further studies.

Achievements:
One of our girls represented Uttranchal Cricket Team that won the ‘Junior National Softball Cricket Tournament’ which was held at Indore in January 08. One of our youths got 83% in class Xth, whereas one of our girls has proved herself by securing 72% in class Xth. One of our youths, Gopal Krishan’s academic endeavors are praiseworthy and commendable as he has made us proud by passing the final exam of B.Tech with 68.9% marks in aggregate.

Health:
For the better growth of the children various medical check-up camps and awareness programmes are organised inside the Village. ‘International Aids Day’ was organised in February 2008 in which the children through their different activities performed an awareness programme. Medical Check-up camp (HIV test) was also organised for children.

Youth:
In one youth facility for 24 youth boys, eight are in schools and rest are doing vocational training. There are 36 youths under the role of second facility out of which 14 are attending vocational courses, 13 are attending University and 9 boys settled through job during the year.

Children's education and activities

An Ideal School:
The SOS School situated in Varanasi is one of the premier educational institutions around. It was set up in 1990 in 9 acres of land. The school boasts of about 1300 children, 42 staff members and about 20 other supporting staff members. The school is well equipped with all the facilities such as sports ground, laboratory, computer lab, and music along with other infotainment classes. The students have been able to make their mark in various Inter School as well as Inter state competitions in various fields. Parents feel highly elevated and proud sending their children at SOS School, Varanasi.

Facilities:
We have a well equipped learning center, consisting of a library, a music room and a computer center. Besides this, we have a nursery school, which is well-equipped with teaching aids like Computer lab, music system and educative toys. In the SOS Nursery School, 32 children are attaining their basic training under the constant guidance of trained teachers, we have a community hall, which is used for various co-curricular activities.

Family Strengthening Programme:
Under this programme we cover the destitute children and widows from the nearby community. 620 children of 152 families are benefiting through this programme. Now, 131 children have been admitted for regular schooling in various schools and are provided with complete school kit. The main goal of this programme is to provide these children a sustainable growth and proper care, protection and uplift the standard of these families. We have been regularly monitoring the progress and observing the socio-economic development of beneficiary families to make them self-reliant. We have also started vocational course of tailoring and various awareness programme on varied issues such as Child Right, Health and Sanitation for the beneficiaries.

Summer Vacation Activities:
In order to have an active participation in the activities during summer vacations, children attended various creative classes according to their hobbies- Drawing, Computer, Music, Meditation, Dance, Sports, attending library and Spoken English classes. They participate in these summer classes with great enthusiasm. Thus, they had a lovely vacation this summer every year. They also visited Sarnath, Dashaswamedh Ghat, Vishwanath Temple, Banaras Hindu University situated nearby during the vacations.

Festivals in Varanasi, India

We celebrate various functions and festivals during the year. Shri Krishna Janmasthami is the festival of love and devotion. Lord Krishna’s birthday was celebrated with traditional manner. On the day, people wordship Lord Krishna with devotional hymns till His birth at mid-night. Like every year, our children decorated the place with attractive toys, flowers, coloured sand, branches of trees and with the tiny colourful bulbs, where Janmasthami was to be celebrated. Delicious food and sweet dishes were prepared in each and every family. Different types of cultural programme like dance, drama and songs added the zeal and gala.

On the occasion of Dushera children and mothers were visited the city where the various Pandals were decorated with lights. Children wore new clothes. Beautiful and graceful images of goddess Durga were kept in every Pandal. The children were delighted and enjoyed to visit the places and purchased some toys and other things of their interest.

Your kind co-operation and active association has helped and motivated us to stead fast on the path of progress. On behalf of our children, mothers and co-workers we would like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude and look forward for your company to strengthen humanity and for a noble cause.

We once again thank you and wish you a Merry Christmas and happy, prosperous New Year 2009.

With best wishes to you and your family members.
Yours Sincerely,

Rakesh Sinha
Village Director