Sponsor's update from Basse, The Gambia

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Basse, The Gambia from May 2008

We are very much grateful to share with you some of the major events and activities we lived during the first half of 2008 in our country and in the SOS Children’s Village Basse, The Gambia. The general condition of life in the SOS Children’s Village Basse compared to last year, is positively picking up on different fronts i.e. educationally, health wise, emotionally, socially, inter-personal relationship wise, human resources development and village-community interaction and dialogue. We have faced a lot of challenges within the six months under review but thanks to the support rendered and the team spirit of all co-workers and the Local Government Authority in Basse we were able to forge ahead. Child abandonment is not of much problem in this area but orphans are most cases in this part of the country. Employment rate is not the least improving and the high taxation is really a course for concern. The poverty remains pegged at 40% (20% living in abject poverty and cannot met the demands of three square meals a day).

In SOS Children’s Village, Basse situated at the Upper River Region of The Gambia about 365 Km from the Capital Banjul and is at present accommodating 76 children, of this number 52 are registered with the sponsorship department at the International Office and 24 are yet to be as they have just been approved by our partners the Social Welfare Department. There are 55 boys and 21 girls in total and a staff of 12 mothers, 9 aunties and 20 ancillary supporting staff. Please follow as we give you news about our village which is so full of life as the laughter of children could be heard and the echo of their melodies voices once you enter the gate. As we are very much concern about standards, we have continued to strike high for higher heights and believe me the: SI 1 INITIATIVE: LONG TERM FAMILY BASE CARE FOR CHILDREN IN NEED LEAD THE WAY, we have all the children medically examined at the Major Health Centre in Basse in order to determine their health status i.e. in terms of HIV/Aids and other communicable diseases. The SOS Nursery School and Lower Basic School is in full operation and the children as well as the community of Basse are making good use of it. Those of school going age are attending the SOS Nursery School and Lower Basic Schools respectively according to age and previous knowledge of schooling. Out of these 76 children, 6 are in the toddler, 12 in Group1, 9 in Group2, 11 in Grade1, 9 in Grade 2, 2 in Grade 3 and 3 are babies. After 2 terms of educational assessment and close monitoring of their progress by the Village Education Committee, two teachers have been identified for extra tutorial lessons. Saturday outings on a rotational basis have been developed to move them out of the four walls of SOS for a while and 3 families jointly go out as planned.

Children's events and participation in Basse

All major feasts (Christian & Muslims) were celebrated, and also children’s birthdays were celebrated on a quarterly basis for those whose birthdays fall within January and March. A general counseling session for all the children is held every month to discuss with mothers and teachers in an open forum about the progress of their children and the way forward.

Local participation and partnership is keenly followed as much has been realized: Mothers are actively participating in gardening and with the partnership with a friend of SOS Bakoteh who promise to give them seeds to plant, they will be very much happy as the rains are fast approaching. A cultural group is coming up by the children of the village in preparation for the inauguration slated for 24th October 2008. We are at the moment trying to acquire both traditional and modern instruments for this august gathering

A ten-day study and job training visit to Guinea Bissau was organized for 3 mothers, 1 aunty, the Social Worker and the Village Director. They left from the 13th to the 23rd April 2008. It was a real success as it was an eye opener for all of us as it was also an educative trip for all as it is a follow up on job training. The Medical Research Council offered x-ray services to our children free of charge. The government health centre in Basse is offering free consultation and medicine to our children. This is a very valuable service as at present we are yet to hire the services of a matron and so all our medical problems are taken care of by them to which we are very much grateful. We are proud of the partnership with and participation of the Department of Social Welfare and the governor’s office URR in all our activities.

Skills development

We are happy to share on our human resource development that has taken place during the period. A one day child protection workshop was organised for the staff as well as a tie & dye refresher exercise for mothers & aunties when they produced bed sheets and window curtains for the 12 family houses, the director’s house, the guest house and the aunties house all within the village environment. This is a step ahead as they have gained some knowledge during their training at the Mother Adult Training Centre and more than willing to put it into practice in their village. A two-day first Aid and STD workshop for both the village and school staff. Computer classes for mothers and aunties is in earnest thanks to the support of the US Peace Corps based in the Gambia who volunteered to offer free service as an I.T instructor. Driving lessons for some mothers have started and hopefully it would be a challenged for the others as the village is on the outskirt of Basse and will be an added advantage in case of emergency. The National Office team embarked on a working visit from 16th to 19th March 2008 and a second one to be followed from 26th to 29th May 2008. This is to keep track and work collective in the administering of the village.

On behalf of the Management team of SOS Children’s Villages Basse, its affiliated projects and the National Office team we thank you profoundly for your benevolent and noble gesture.

Yours faithfully
SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES, THE GAMBIA

Mrs. Mariama Bayo Sidibeh, Sponsorship Coordinator