Child sponsorship update from Kolkata (Calcutta), India

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Kolkata (Calcutta), India from October 2008.

Dear Friends

Wish you a merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2009.

Let the SOS family Kolkata take the opportunity to extend jovial thanks to you for your patronage and solicitous support throughout the year, which help us for creating a better tomorrow and providing a secured, caring and peaceful environment to our children.

It will be our great pleasure to share with you our joys, memorable events and holistic development among the children during the year. Presently 196 children (115 girls and 81 boys) can count on support in 15 family houses and 3 youth facilities. For pursuing higher education 14 children of our village staying in different hostels. During the year 4 children (boys) were traditionally welcomed by the house mother and Co workers.

In the village premises we have the facilities like, community hall, library, computer lab, sports room, guest house, Village office, learning center, play ground, 15 family houses and Co-workers residence. The renovation works of 5 family houses have been completed this year, all the houses are well ventilated.

The performance of school going children in the academics in comparison to last year is pleasing. Two of our girls passed Higher Secondary examination and taken admission in the Nursing Course. 4 children (2 girls and 2 boys) passed class X Board Examination. After clearing Common Admission Test, Kamolika took admission in Master in Business Administration at Bangalore.

State Bank of India Zonal Office sponsored 105 girl children for their education, out of which 61 girls are from SOS Children’s Village Kolkata and 44 girls from Family Strengthening Programme, Kolkata.

Children growing up in Kolkata, India

Under Family Strengthening Programme (FSP) we implemented a powerful approach to deal with the problems of children and their families who are in need in the community. In 2008 our service is not restricted within the caregivers of deprived children, but we are able to generate an ownership for the programme among the community stakeholders by establishing effective networking advocacy and ensure their active participation with the programme. Apart from this we are also providing support to 20 students of 3 different reputed technical and vocational institutes through our scholarship programme.

Now the programme has expanded to over 7 villages and we are able to bring 200 families and 312 children (148 boys &164 girls) within our safety lattice. We organized health camps, different income generation activities for the caregivers, Promoted 5 Self Help Groups (SHG), awareness programme on different ablaze issues such as gender sensitization, HIV/AIDS, life skill development, parenting skill.

Through our SOS Learning centre we are providing educational and nutrition support to 70 children and able to mainstreamed 36 children to the formal schools. 4 children passed X Board Examination and 2 children passed Higher Secondary Examination this year. Out of them one girl Purnima did outstanding result in Board Examination, by obtaining star marks and three letters in different subjects.

During the year children participated in number of activities like dance music, sports, inter school quiz competition etc. Beside this they enjoyed the study tour to Bhubaneswar and Puri, visited many historical places like Khandagiri, Udyagiri and the historical temple like Konark (Sun Temple), Lingraj (The temple of Lord Siva) and Lord Jagarnath Temple (The temple of Krishna and Balbhadra).

Children learning for a future in Kolkata, India

All the Major festivals of West Bengal, SOS Day, Mothers Day and the days of national implications were celebrated with great excitement in the Village. Durga Puja celebrated with great Joy in the village, on the occasion a cultural programme was staged by the children in the guise of Devi Durga and Ashura (demon) symbolized the Good over Evil also performed dance, recitation, cracked jokes and vocal music. In Kolkata different Puja pandals (The worship place of lord goddess) were made on the theme like safeguarding of folk culture, Global warming, save the environment from degradation, propaganda against child abuse, Gender violence, Social negligence towards the disable etc. Our children were taken to those Puja Pandals for exposure to these Evil and good things. The Times of India also organized pandal parikrama for our children.

Out of 37 youths, 27 (boys) and 10 (girls) are residing in our three youth facilities. One boy of Arunodaya passed class X Board Examination in second division, 4 youths of Sopan are on job training and 1 youth is in vocational training, 6 youths (Girls) are regular to their job place. One boy of Sopan attended the debate competition in his college on “Pollution Control” and got certificate, Reserve Bank of India has chosen the boy for the scholarship from his college.

Four of our settled children utilised their money gift savings for the purchase of flat and for construction of own house. Two girls’ marriage was solemnized this year and they are leading their married life happily in their in-laws house.

We are very proud to mention that one of our mothers honored with an SOS Ring on 15.01.2008 for her dedicated service of 12 years.

General health of children and mothers remain quite satisfactory throughout the year. Eye camp, General health camp, Dental camp, Hemoglobin and Bone density test have been carried out in the village. 50 of our girls and few mothers participated in the gynecology workshop organized by group of best Doctors of Kolkata.

These achievements have been possible because of continuous support, deep alliance and encouragements we received from many of our friends like you. We solicit your co- operation and once again on behalf of SOS family Kolkata, We wish you a merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

With Regards
Yours Sincerely

Dipak Prakash Sahu
Village Director