Child sponsorship update from Juah Town, Monrovia

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Jauh Town, Monrovia from Summer 2008.

During the year, the Village as part of the greater community of Liberia experienced peace under the present Government along with a struggling economy. We are pleased to inform you that we had very rewarding experiences, and that your contributions went a long way to enhance successes we achieved. We greet you again and thank you as we once more approach the Christmas Season. On behalf of the SOS Children’s Villages of Liberia Trust, we extend a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and Happy New Year.

The Village is presently catering to the physical, emotional, and educational needs of 54 children; 29 of whom are boys and 25 girls.

Children's Academic Performance
The Children’s academic performance is satisfactory. All of the 39 SOS children attending the Hermann Gmeiner International School passed successfully during the first term. Seven out of the 39 children made it to the honor roll list. The highest average of 90% was attained by Kebbeh, an SOS child of family house one.

Activities
SOS Day was celebrated in grand style. The Village had a joint celebration with the SOS International School and the SOS Nursery School. This was a very colorful occasion as the children were all neatly dressed in their uniforms and marched majestically through the streets of Juah Town to the sound of the Grand Bassa County Marching Band. The entire Juah Town Community participated jubilantly in this year's SOS Day celebration.

The SOS Children’s Village Juah Town in collaboration with BUCCOBAC, a Buchanan Based child focus NGO conducted a one day workshop on “Child Protection issues and Gender Based violence” This workshop brought together a cross section of the Hogban Township Community. Participants included elders, Youth Leader’s Women group, Church leaders and other SOSCV Staff. During this workshop Child Protection and Gender Based Violence issues were dealt with lengthily. This workshop was like a mirror where each participant saw their own short coming on Child protection and Gender Based violence issues.

In an effort to develop our children emotionally and intellectually, series of sessions and Quizzing competitions have been planned. Some of the lessons taught in these sessions include: How to greet guest, Child Protection policy, SOS vision and mission, facts about SOS, HIV/AIDS Awareness, sex education, Children’s Rights and Responsibilities among others. We also divided the Children into two Quizzing groups. This competition is held on the last Friday of each month. Subjects Quizzed on are Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, General Science, facts about SOS, and Religions Knowledge.

Events at Juah Town, Liberia

We have planned a series of outings for the Children. This is aimed at exposing them to other environment. On October 24, 2008 the Village and the School had a joint United Nations Day program. Officers of the Ghanaian Battalion serving in UNMIL were our visiting Guests. The keynote address was delivered by Major Agily, Chaplain for the Ghanaian Contingent serving in UNMIL. Gifts items and sweets were distributed to the children by our visitors.

On November 11, 2008, we were honored by the visit of the President of Liberia Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf During her visit, a bouquet of flowers was presented to her by little Tetima Johnson, a six years old child of family house 3. Because of her eloquence during the presentation, the president gave her a big embrace and told her that she is a smart little girl.

On November 19, 2008 the SOS Children’s Village Juah Town had programs marking the “Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse” and “Universal Children’s Day". Highlights from the program included: Discussion on Child Protection issues, statement by Children of the SOS Children’s Village, Group recitation on the “Right of the Child” and the keynote address was delivered by the Human Resource Manager of SOS Liberia. All of these items except the keynote address were planned and executed by the children. The program was attended by Mr. Cole, National Educational Advisor, SOS Liberia, and a cross section of the Juah Town Community.

This years Christmas celebration will by characterised by singing of Christmas carols and sharing of gifts and food items by the children of the SOS Children’s Village, Juah Town to the sick and elderly people of Juah Town. This is intended to further enhance the village and Community relationship. The children’s bi-annual birthday celebration will be held on the 31st of December.

Developing children in Liberia

Changes to the Village
In order to meet up with SOS Children objective of catering to one million children by the year 2010, we have constructed additional six family homes, thus bringing to twelve the number of family homes in the Juah Town Village. By January we are expected to take in additional fifty-four children in the new family homes.

This will bring the number of children being cared for by the SOS Children’s Village Juah Town to about 108. The other family homes including the Director’s house, Guest house were given a facelift by painting them. The Children’s playground is under construction since the additional homes now occupied the previous playground.

Impact the Village is making in the Juah Town community
Over the years, the SOS Children’s Village Juah Town had made and still continues to make tremendous impact on the lives of both children and adults of the Juah Town Community. Our playground is one of the places of interaction through play between the Community children and the SOS Children.

Through an appeal made by elders of the Juah Town Community, the SOS Children’s Village gives the Elders of Hogban and Malor Townships 35 bundles of zinc to repair their shattered homes as a result of the civil war. Also the staff of the SOS Children’s Village Juah Town is taking the lead in developing their churches. Some of the SOS Staff maintained personal relationship with some of the Community dwellers. The SOS Children’s Village Juah Town is indeed living up to the vision and mission of SOS KD1.

Once again, we say Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Sincerely yours,

Ruth Helen Swen
Sponsorship Coordinator
SOS Children Liberia