Sponsor's update from Hyderabad, India

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Hyderabad, India from Winter 2008.

Dear Friend,

We the members of SOS Children’s Village, Hyderabad take the privilege to wish you and your family A MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009. We express our heartfelt thanks and deep sense of gratitude for your kind continued co-operation and support for the cause of our children. Hyderabad is a heady mixture of history heritage, hospitality and a thriving hitech revolution. The new city was also called bagh-nagar (city of gardens) as it was replete with gardens and groves. The e-world is already here. New economy is everywhere around and city is buzzing the mantra of information technology.

We always feel pleasure to inform you that our children are doing well. It is our way of repaying your kind deeds. It is also a great satisfaction to see them grow happy and healthy.

A Home for Many Children
The Village’s community has planned an important purpose to achieve during this year to attend more needy children. Five destitute children were brought home during the year. The SOS mothers have done efforts to welcome them by the best way taking into account that children should feel at home. At present 133 (57 boys and 76 girls) children are living happily under the loving care of 12 mothers and 4 aunts. Out of 133 children 21 children are in boarding schools, 101 children are attending outside schools, 8 children are attending SOS Nursery School and 3 children are at home.

Facilities:
We are very happy to inform you that Dell Learning Centre has been constructed within the premises with a Library, Computer Room and a Music Room. It was inaugurated in the month of Sep 2008. Children are happily learning computers and music in the centre. Apart from this the Children’s Village has 12 family houses, a nursery centre, Activity hall, moderately equipped Clinic, Community and Guest House, three Co-worker residences and a Village Store.

Growing up at Hyderabad, India

Academic Performance
The academic result of the year 2007-08 was quite encouraging. All school going children were promoted to the next higher classes with 60% and above percentage. 29 children passed with above 90% marks. We have engaged regular tutors to help children who are weak in studies. Spoken English classes are organised for children above Class IV with help of a resource person.

SOS Nursery School
The village nursery school has been carrying out its functioning in a smooth way. The toddler stimulation programme was conducted throughout the year and we are starting on the baby stimulation programme. SOS mothers and aunts continue to come to the nursery school on weekly basis to learn about their children’s developments and achievements as well as to get a general understanding of what goes on at the kindergarten. As part of their outing children were taken to picnic to Zoological Park where children had great fun watching different animals and birds.

HEALTH
General Health check-ups were organised for all our mothers and children. Basic vaccinations and Hepatitis B vaccines were administered to all children. Children are showing signs of healthy growth and development.

Mothers
Children are being looked after by 12 loving mothers and 4 Aunts. To achieve more progress among our mothers the village provided them with several courses in home management, nutrition, health and hygiene and family life. They have also attended a refresher training programme at our Mother Training School, Faridabad in two batches and were back with recharged energy. 3 New mother trainees were selected this year and are under training. A Comprehensive health check up was done for all the mothers and all are keeping good health. They undergo regular meditation & yoga exercises for sound health and positive outlook. They also attend music classes weekly once.

Events and projects at Faridabad, India

Festivals and Holidays:
To make children’s life more interesting, purposeful and to promote their development, a lot of activities and events are organised within as well as out of the Village. As part of their outing all the children were taken to a Water Park (Jalavihar) where Children enjoyed different water rides and spent most of the time in the swimming pool.

All the regional festivals were celebrated in the village. This year children celebrated Diwali with great joy and enthusiasm. Diwali festival is a 5 day Hindu festival in India which occurs on the fifteenth day of Kartika. Diwali when translated means "rows of lighted lamps" and the occasion is also referred to as the Festival of Lights. During Diwali, Indian homes are cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Lamps, lights and candles are lit as a greeting to Goddess Laksmi. Gifts are exchanged and sweets, festive meals are prepared during Diwali. People of different nationalities, races, religions and backgrounds come together to share their joys generating a feeling of universal brotherhood and inter-religious harmony. Children burn crackers in the night after the prayer.

Family Strengthening Programme:
As a very important part of Family Strengthening Programme, we are continuing our support to the needy mothers and children. Presently, 181 needy mothers and 385 children are getting benefit through this programme. Apart from this Scholarship is also provided to 16 youth. As a part of outreach, a Tailoring centre was inaugurated in the nearby village imparting tailoring training to eligible women in the village. Two tuition centres were also started in two villages with the local communities support and 90 children are availing the benefit. SOS also formed partnership with local NGOs to identify the needy children to support their education.

Co-workers Training:
Co-workers Training workshop was organised at National Training Centre, Faridabad as usual. Co-workers with SOS Mothers’ representative have a weekly meeting to share their concerns about children and families and also discuss ways & means to improve the job skill to serve children better.

We are very happy about your association with SOS Children’s Village, Hyderabad. All the children, mothers and coworkers join me in thanking you for your continuous support. May God bless you and your family. Once again “Merry Christmas and Happy New year 2009”

Yours Sincerely,

M.G. Ramesh Kumar
Village Director