Sponsor's update from Ksarnaba, Lebabnon

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Ksnarbaba, Lebanon from Winter 2008

Dear Friend,

When writing this report, we mainly focus on some achievements at SOS Children’s Village - Ksarnaba , over the last twelve months. As for our children, they are so enthusiastic when preparing the personal greeting card to their caring sponsors.

Currently 59 children live in 8 SOS Family Houses. During the year 2008, 9 children have been admitted. Among them two families of 3 siblings who feel secure in their SOS home. They are so happy to be able to go to school. On the educational level, we do our best to give our children the adequate support to do well at school by encouraging their imagination and curiosity. We show great interest and praise them when they have done something well. SOS mothers are aware that if they have any remarks or suggestions, they do it in a helpful way. The school success for our children is 99 %.

At the SOS Nursery School, the 1st graduation ceremony 2008 took place on June 13. SOS collaborators and neighboring parents attended this special event. 5 children dressed in blue and white, the SOS colors, were so pleased to receive their first school certificate. They were so cute wearing the hats that they have prepared themselves. The room was decorated with their beautiful drawings. Our 5 children presented a child play that was a great success and the audience was amazed by their good performance.

As for the dancing show, it was evident that our little ones have acquired the sense of rhythm and an excellent dexterity. Each child was asked to sing his favorite song and to tell his best souvenir. When growing up and looking at the photo souvenir, they will always remember with happiness and a lot of emotion their 1st graduation ceremony. In October, our 5 graduates have been admitted to neighboring primary schools and they are well integrated in their class. Our good quality of early childhood education is now well established. For the academic year 2008 - 2009, there are 51 children at SOS Nursery School. 20 SOS children and 31 neighboring children are attending the three following classes: Nursery, Junior and Senior Nursery School.

Supporting children in Lebanon

The SOS Social Centre serves the nearby communities where the SOS Children’s Village is located. Currently 142 families including 504 children participate to the Family Strengthening Program. To empower the families in their role as care takers, we organise women awareness programs such as literacy courses, health and nutrition workshops. The children participate to art workshop and recreational activities.

With the assistance of SOS Children, the productive participation of the Lebanese Association of SOS Children to the regional workshop “Towards Arab Standards for Children Deprived of Parental Care” that took place in Cairo between 8 and 10 April 2008 was of great importance to launch the process to establish an Arab Set of Guidelines for children deprived of parental care and promote their implementation. The regional workshop was attended by almost 150 persons representing governmental and non-governmental organisations from 17 countries from the Arab World.

Events in Ksarnaba, Lebabnon

Summer 2008 was a peaceful time and our children were so happy to participate in various activities. “Together we enjoy a special SOS day” is the theme of an open-day that took place on June 28. The four SOS Children’s Villages in Lebanon as well as the seven SOS Youth Homes participated to this event. 500 children and collaborators spend the day together and the program was very interesting :
- In the children’s face painting room, a make up artist welcomed our little children who where so happy to be become fairies, princesses, batman, pirates, butterflies, ….
- Our children, 10 to 14 years old, visited the well know historical temples in the city of Baalbeck located at 10 kms from the SOS Village. They were interested to know more about the beliefs and way of life of Romans. They were impressed by the magnificence of this most visited tourist place
- Each SOS Village has its own Basket Ball Team. They participated to the Basket Ball match attended by a large audience. Each group encouraged its own village. The performance was greatly professional. Congratulations to the team of SOS Children’s Village - Sferai
- The favorite humorist actor came to visit us. The children were very excited to talk to her. She answered all their questions and was ready to take a souvenir photo if it was the child’s wish
- To end this special day, SOS - Ksarnaba dancing team presented a Lebanese dance, “Dabke”. Girls and boys were wearing the traditional costume.

Organising such a special day for our children is essential. They do experience the solidarity of the SOS family and these family ties have a significant effect on their personal development. When returning home, one could notice the signs of happiness on every smiling face.

It is time to end the report. Kindly receive warm and joyful greetings from SOS Children’s Village - Ksarnaba and our grateful feelings for your caring help during this Holy Season and all year through.