Sponsor's update from Vilnius, Lithuania

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Vilnius, Lithuania from December 2008

One more year has passed and brought many happy and significant moments into our lives. Christmas is coming to our homes, families and hearts, also to SOS Children Lithuania. All of us are in a very special sacred mood. It’s time when everyone is better or at least trying to be. Children want to help their SOS mothers at home, want to be hugged more often than ever. They all from the youngest to the eldest decorate Christmas tree, bake Christmas cookies and dream of Christmas presents.

Let’s have some peaceful minutes and look through the year 2008 in the Association of SOS Children.

SOS Children’s Village and Youth Facility
There are 66 children living in the village, 16 youngsters living in two Youth facilities. At the moment 9 youngsters live semi-independently and at the beginning of New Year two more will start semi-independent life. Year 2009 will bring great changes into inhabitants’ lives of Youth Facilities, because it has been decided to join both facilities into one. The reason for this decision was the decreasing number of youngster of particular 16 years old for the coming 5 years. Youngsters from Youth facility I will move to Youth facility II, the empty accommodation itself will be used for Day care center or other social activities.

Celebrating events in Vilnius, Lithuania

This year SOS Children’s Village celebrated its thirteenth birthday. Different activities were organised for children on that day. Children were telling gratitude words to their dearest people - Mothers. A public thanks was said to all sponsors and friends of SOS Children‘s Villages for their support which gives the Association a possibility to take better care about the children.

Children danced, sang, played the music, participated in sport games, and all guests of the celebration had a possibility to visit SOS families. Towards evening the traditional birthday camp-fire was set. And the thirteenth birthday cake was incredibly big, beautiful and very tasty!

During summer time all village children were camping for two weeks in the summer camp in Karkle near the Baltic Sea. Also, children had possibility to go to camp for military, art and sports.

This autumn Children‘s Club started its new season renovated essentially. And this was especially joyful event: the club received especially valuable support for club's renovation, moreover, video and audio equipment, three computers, furniture were bought.

According to EU program “Active Youth” a volunteer from Germany worked in the village for six months. He taught children English language, Latin - American dances, and different sports. At the moment children have possibility to attend various clubs: car models club, DJ classes, basketball club, etc.

On Christmas weekend SOS children will have an opportunity to participate in the magnificent Christmas event organised by good people to our children. Some of the children who attend DJ classes and who were taught by “DJ Shop” owner with assistance of RnB DJ Black B will show what they’ve learned.

Supporting children and the community in Vilnius

Family Strengthening Projects
At the moment there are two Family Strengthening Projects in Vilnius and Alytus towns. This year 446 children received complex social services. Summer camps were organised for the children in Karkle resort, in Nemunaitis scouts camp and the day camp with The Directorate of Vilnius Castles. Socialisation programmes are implemented during school year: lectures and group activities are organized for children. Also, educative lectures and seminars took place for parents in order to improve parenthood skills. There is mothers’ self-help group in Alytus town, which is moderated by social worker. Together with social and educative activities, families receive food, school means and etc. Depending on the needs medicine services are covered for children. During Christmas children will have possibility to participate in different Christmas events, watch the plays and concerts in the town.

SOS Nursery School
Many happy events took place during this year in the SOS Nursery School. It’s a place always full of joy and merry children’s crow. SOS Nursery School organises clubs: Niat - Nam- martial arts, basketball trainings, English language courses, which are very popular among children.

SOS Nursery School educators always try to organise different events. Also the SOS Nursery School runs several projects, one of them is called Zippy’s friends where five, six & seven year old children are taught to develop coping and social skills.