Child sponsorship update from Ganja, Azerbaijan

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Ganja, Azerbaijan from Summer 2008.

Dear sponsor,

I take the opportunity to start this report by thanking you for continuous support to SOS Children’s Village Ganja. On behalf of SOS mothers and all the children I have the honor to send you hearty greetings and the warmest wishes. With your contribution SOS Children’s Village Ganja at present is a home for 36 children: thirteen girls and twenty three boys. We believe that you will continue your generous support due to which our children feel safe, live in warm, cozy houses, surrounded by care and love.

As in the previous year, once spring came we started planting the trees, bushes and greenings in the Village. With kind support of the public of Ganja we celebrated our national holiday Novruz Bayram with our Families in the Village. We had many guests from NGOs, from municipality and our National Office.

In May 2007 one of our children Firuddin underwent successful surgery operation on removal of tonsils and adenoid.

At the end of each academic year we arrange test examinations for our children to check their performance and their perception of subjects. The results of this year were quite satisfactory. We always pay big attention to the children’s education.

On the 1st of June together with the representatives of the city municipality we have celebrated an International Children’s Protection Day in SOS Children’s Village Ganja. Music party and gifts were provided by Sports Department of the city. Our children took an active part in this ceremony and won many prizes.
Another new-born child was admitted into the family of SOS Mother Aygun. She was inexpressibly happy because of that. Except two babies there are two elder boys and one young son in her Family now. They readily help their mother to take care of those two little gentlemen.

A new start for child at Ganja, Azerbaijan

The most important event of the year 2007 was the official opening ceremony of the SOS Children’s Village Ganja which took place on June 15. Many guests from the public of Ganja, NGOs, city municipality, from SOS Kinderdorf International and the Foundation of Swiss friends of SOS Children’s Villages participated in this event. Board of Directors and the key staff of “SOS Children Azerbaijan” Association also took part in the ceremony. With close support of the community our children prepared different performances, such as dancing, singing with chore, gymnastic exercises etc. The valuable guests also visited a couple Family Houses and had tea together with the SOS Mothers and children.

On July, 7 SOS Children’s Village Ganja celebrated its 2nd birthday. We organised a big party in the Village with participation of many guests from local community and SOS Children’s Village Baku. Four SOS Families from Baku came to our Village to spend their summer vacations. This was a good opportunity for further improvement of relationships between the two SOS Villages in the country. Together with SOS Families from Baku our Families travelled to the beautiful places of Ganja and nearby regions, including Hajikend and Goy-Gol, famous for their fantastic forests and lakes. We spent wonderful time preparing picnics, swimming, and took many photographs for the best memory. Concert programs, theaters, circuses, exhibitions were the most joyful entertainment for the children. Our SOS Families also spent their vacations in the other regions of our country.

During summer-time two new SOS Families started functioning. So total number of SOS Families in Ganja has reached 8.

Events at Ganja, Azerbaijan

At the end of summer we organized tutoring classes on English, Russian and Math. We organised “Skilful hands” handicraft classes, also.

Summer is over and the busy schedule started for the SOS families. The children attend schools, activities, circles, courses. The children understand that these are very important for their future, so they approach it very responsibly.

With the beginning of school-time 8 of our children went to the 1st class of the public schools, 4 children went to Ganja International School specialised on English, 6 went to kindergaren, 14 are already students of senior classes and 4 children are still very small, so they stay in the Village with their SOS Mothers.

September, 21 is celebrated as a “Peace day” all over the world. Different competitions and games were conducted in the SOS Children’s Village in the framework of “Global Peace Games”. Ganja SOS Children’s Village organized contest on asphalt drawings among 2 city schools and our SOS Village. All of the participants received certificates of participation and gifts from our children; winners were awarded with the special prizes.
The Dental cabinet continues serving the SOS children, as well as the outside beneficiaries, especially children from other child institutions, from families in need and families of refugees. The treatment is absolutely free of charge and today we have more than 120 beneficiaries. This program has enormous impact on the community life, as the high-quality dental services are quite expensive and many families in the neighborhood are not able to afford it.

At the end of 2006 we started the new program of support the Public Nursery School in Ganja city. This year we had very good developments in this program. Joining hands with the City Education Department and 4 NGOs active in Ganja city, we could tremendously improve the technical basis of the nursery school as well as the professional level of the educational staff. One new group was established, necessary repair works were provided. We equipped 3 groups with furniture, stationery, toys and didactic materials. Refresher courses and trainings on Step by Step methodology have been provided to the pedagogical staff. So, the nursery school has increased the number of children in groups and now it is serving 200 children. Majority of these children are from families with low income. This programme has very important and positive impact on the community development.

Once again we express our deep gratitude to you and taking the opportunity we would like to send our best wishes for the upcoming New Year and Christmas.

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!

With best regards,

Nasimi Alekberli
Director of SOS Children’s Village Ganja