Sponsor's update from Cochin, India

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

Dear friend

It is indeed a great pleasure to wish you and your family members a MERRY CHRISTMAS AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2008. We express our gratitude for your kind continued support and co-operation for the cause of children under our care.

A home for children since 1990:
The year 2008 was very successful and have been very challenging and joyful. This year we have brought home 17 children. They are well adapted to their new family environment and are happy with their new families. At present, the SOS family comprising of 172 children amongst them 140 girls and 32 boys. There are 15 mothers and 6 aunts to support them. Out of 172 children, 33 are staying in various boarding schools and college hostels. Apart from that, 58 boys are staying in our youth houses.

Academic performance of children:
The academic performance of the children were excellent this year. All of them have passed their annual examination and transferred to the next higher classes. 10 girls passed higher secondary education with good marks and pursuing for graduation in various streams like nursing, Arts and Commerce. Five girls have passed their graduation successfully and pursuing masters degree in Business Administration/Commerce with promising result so far. Two girls were selected by Dewan Foundatiuon for Educational scholarship. Anupama successfully passed her graduation in Ayurveda medicines and doing internship at RVS Ayurveda hospital, Coimbatore.

Village activities/sports:
During the year children participated in social activities in the field of sports, music and dance. Four of them secured individual championship at their school level sports competitions. Twelve other children won prizes in various athletics. Libin, gifted dancer has been a winner in folk dance for many years. He won “A grade” in folk dance competition in state level this year also.

A workshop on career guidance, personality development and health was organised for the children. A session on adolescent problems was arranged for the elder girls in the Village. A five-day residential camp was organised for the elder girls at Wayanadu.

Growing up at Cochin, India

Youth settlements and achievements:
The Youth Facility for young adult is progressing well with 58 boys. With the support of youth coworkers, the young adults develop realistic perspective of their future, learn to share responsibilities and start making their own decision. Some of the boys are attending school/college level education and few of them attend vocational course which have immediate job opportunities. Some are working with hospitality industry. Subash and Jayesh are working with reputed construction company at Ernakulam. Praveesh, settled youth utilized his money gift for set up his new business with flex printing during the year. We are happy to inform you that we could solemnize nine marriages of elder girls and boys during the year. They are living happily with their family.

Allied programme FSP (Family Strengthening Programme):
We are also reaching out to more children and mothers of the community through the Family Strengthening Programme (FSP). The main objective of the programme is to support families and communities to develop the capacity to effectively protect and care for their children, so that children are able to grow within a caring family environment. We are providing a package of service to 550 Children from 314 families. Apart from the financial help to the beneficiaries, they are supported by providing counseling services, awareness on child rights, health, hygiene, HIV/AIDS, psychological support, career guidance and advocacy networking with government and non-government organisations. We motivate them to effectively utilize the existing community resource which leads to self dependency and sustainable development.

Caring for children at Cochin

Learning centre/nursery school:
The learning centre is functioning well with 6 personal computers. We have also a reading room with editions of career-oriented books, journals, comics and music room with few musical instruments. The SOS Village Nursery School is also functioning well. 85 tiny tots from the nearby community are learning the basics of education from here along with our kids.

Celebration of festivals:
All the traditional and religious festivals are being celebrated in the Village irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Among the National festivals, we celebrated Republic Day, Independency Day. Onam, the harvest festival is also celebrated with much festivity. It is the state festival of Kerala. It is celebrated in honour of Mahabali, the mythical king of ancient Kerala. People of Kerala believe that on Onam day, Mahabali visits his subjects. On that day the front courtyards of the house beautifully decorate with flowers to welcome the advent of king Mahabali. People wear new clothes on this day and make Onam Sadya, a feast with vegetarian meals which is served in banana leaf. Snake boat race is one of the popular games among the season.

Health check-ups/medical camps:
In April, a medical camp was organized in the Village by Medical Mission Hospital, Kolenchery. Free medical consultancy was given to all children. Regular medical check up was carried out during the year including inoculation programme. In general the health of the children and mothers found normal during the year except one boy who was seriously ill and recovered completely after immediate treatment.

Dear friend all the developments have become possible because of your continued support for our children. On behalf of SOS Village Cochin I thank you very much for your kind support and pray for your well-being.

SOS family Cochin joins me in wishing you once again A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2008.

With best wishes

Yours sincerely
Titus Poovakulam
Project Director