Child sponsorship update from Kitwe, Zambia

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Kitwe, Zambia from Winter 2007/2008.

Dear Sponsor, Dear Friend,

We wish to thank you once again for your continued generous support and encouragement. We would like to share with you the developments that have taken place in the SOS Children Zambia since July 2007.

We would like to update you on some activities which had been happening in the SOS Children Zambia Trust from the period of July to December 2007.

It is Christmas time again and everyone in the Village, children inclusive is planning on how to celebrate the birth of Jesus. For the children, this is even a more exciting time, as it is also time for them to go for holidays!

Firstly, the First Ladies from Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, the queen of Swaziland and Lesotho led by Zambian First Lady, Mrs. Maureen Mwanawasa visited one of the SOS Children’s Villages on 16th August 2007. This was a happy day for the children as they shook hands and interacted with the First ladies.

On 14th December 2007, SOS Children’s Village Kitwe, held a Fundraising function dubbed “Zambian Night”. People from different companies and firms attended the function. The Event was colorful and fun as children entertained the guests with cultural dances, traditional songs and poem reciting.

We would like to inform you that some SOS mothers have retired since they have reached the retirement age of 55 years. This is in relation to the Zambian Labour Laws. However, though retired they will still remain “mothers” to their SOS children, the only difference is that they will not be found in the Children’s Village. Happily, some SOS aunties from the same houses have also been promoted to the position of Mothers in their respective family houses.

Growing up in Kitwe, Zambia

The Children’s Village Kitwe has started preparing the older children for the Youth Facility. This is to help the youths learn how to become self-reliant and be more responsible for the lives.

The Village has formed an HIV/AIDS Support Group with the view to support and sensitize the Village staff, that is, mothers and their children on issues related to HIV and AIDS.

There were a lot of activities at SOS School. Sports-wise, the School took part in the Kitwe Schools Championship Competition. The SOS Girls Football Team emerged the overall champion. The girls were full of excitement as they returned to School with trophy! They danced and sung Zambian songs as they celebrated their victory. This was a day to remember for them!

Academically, November had been busy as Grade 7, 9 and 12 children were writing end of year National Examinations, while the other grades wrote the end of year tests.

On 30th November 2007, the nursery school held a graduation ceremony for the pre-class children who graduated to grade 1 in 2008. The children put up a lot of good performances. To entertain their parents who came to witness the graduation ceremony, the children performed traditional dances, recited poems and acted the story of ‘the Birth of Baby Jesus’.

The Medical Centre has continued providing primary health care to the Village and surrounding communities, while the Outreach Programme has also continued working with vulnerable household in the poor communities. The Clinic is also about to introduce the Under 5 Clinic. This will enable the Clinic provide more health services to the children under the age of 5.

Christmas greetings from all the children in the Children’s Village, Merry Christmas and Happy 2008!

Warm regards,

Florence F. Phiri, National Director and Moses Mapani, Village Director