Sponsor's update from Visakhapatnam, India

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Visakhapatnam, India from November 2008

Dear Friend,

All the loving children, mothers and co-workers at SOS, Vishakhapatnam convey their Season’s Greetings and Wish you and your family A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

We take this wonderful opportunity to share with you few events and developments at SOS Children’s Village, Vishakapatnam.

Children’s Village : The beautiful children’s village at Vishakapatnam was established in the year 1997, after the devastating cyclone affect in 1996 in the coastal Andhra Pradesh. The Children’s Village now has 14 family homes, a nursery school, office block, staff quarters, playground, and library and computer room.

During the year we brought home 38 needy children. Out of this 12 were boys and 22 girls and all the age group of 0-7 years. They are settling down comfortably in the new environment. Presently 186 children are on rolls. Out of them 134 are residents and 52 are in different hostels and boarding schools/colleges.

Achievements: During this year 81% of the children passed 10th and 12th board exams. In the pre-secondary level 97% of the children got promoted to the next higher class. Three of our girls received scholarship and were admitted into Bachelor degree in nursing. Special tutors have been arranged for children to better their academic performance.

Beside academics our children also took part in painting contests and won prizes. 6 grown up girls presented cultural program at Future of State festival. 5 younger children took part in district level inter-school in Taekwondoo, a martial art competition and won prizes. Ten grown up girls attended seminar on career and educational opportunities. 28 children visited the Steel Plant to know various aspects of steel manufacturing.

Education for children in Visakhapatnam, India

Nursery School: A well equipped nursery school has 47 tiny tots on rolls. Out of this 30 children are from the poor families living in the neighboring villages. Children learn through play way method, visual aids.

The Youth facility: Presently 50 youth are on rolls.10 youngsters are residents,33 youngsters are in different boarding schools/colleges and 6 young adults are gainfully employed in various companies. After successfully completing their schooling few youth have joined various courses. Two youngsters joined Government polytechnic. One youth is pursuing postgraduate course in physical education. Two youngsters have joined Bachelor in Computer Application course. One youth joined degree course in engineering. Another youth is pursuing Hotel management course. Personality Development workshops were organized with the help of external resource persons. All the settled and college going youth had a get together for sharing their experience and gave guidance to their younger brothers. We performed marriage to one of our girl and she is leading a happy married life.

Eventful Vacation: Purposeful activities were conducted In summer vacations. All the children took part in various extra curricular activities of their choice in drawing, painting, craft, dance, music, yoga, meditation, games sports. Few grown up children attended career guidance. Special classes were arranged for younger and newly admitted children on basics in English, Telugu and math. Friendly throw ball, foot ball and cricket matches between children of various age groups were organized.

Routine general health and dental checkup was done for all children and mothers with the help of expert doctors from outside. Entire children’s village went for a day’s picnic to a hilly region, historical cave and to a water falls. All the children enjoyed this thrilling experience. Few of our girls also participated in local tribal dance. A mimicry show was organized for all children in the Children’s village. Children enjoyed and were amazed by the tricks.

Mothers attended a refresher program in two batches at Faridabad to sharpen their skills in child care and better parenting skills.

Community involvement

Festivals: Children truly wait for the occasion of “Ugadi” Telugu New Year’s Day which is one of the important traditional festivals. This is popularly known as festival of prosperity. Mothers and children wore new dresses with flowers decorating their hair. Special worship to the Sun God is offered to mark the beginning of good times. Variety of local sweets were prepared at home and exchanged among families.

Family Strengthening programme was started in 2003. Initially we were reaching out to 22 children living in 14 poor families. Today we are supporting 264 families and 475 child beneficiaries. We helped 254 families to receive A.P Government sponsored Health Cards. This will help them to get health insurance coverage, free medical treatment at corporate as well as notified hospitals. Informal networking with like minded NGO’s and Government health centers facilitated to organise comprehensive medical check ups, immunisation to children, counseling on hygiene, income generating skill trainings, nutrition and awareness drive on HIV/AIDS. In the domain of Self Help Groups we have been able to tag 113 program participants into DWACRA (development of Women and Child in rural areas). We have evolved family development plan to each program participant and identified suitable package of services .We maintain healthy relationship with community based organisations in the State of A.P. for community empowerment.

All the above endeavors were made possible with your generous support and encouragement. Your constant faith in our work made significant contributions in children’s development. Through this letter we express our deepest appreciation and heart felt gratitude. Once again we wish you a Happy Christmas and Happy New Year.

Regards,

Village Incharge
SOS Children’s Village - Visakhapatnam