Child sponsorship update from Kankan, Guinea

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Kankan, Guinea from Summer 2008.

As the second semester draws to an end, we would like, on behalf of our SOS Children’s Village and its projects to extend our thanks and appreciations for your continuous sponsorship and share with you the many activities that occurred in our Village and its ancillary projects.

Village
A year finishes we welcome a new one remembering many activities that occurred in our SOS Children’s Village Kankan. Starting with Christmas, (amongst many invitees) the ceremony was honoured by the presence of the Governor, his spouse, the Prefect and the City Mayor of Kankan. To encourage children to share and give positive feelings, all SOS Children of Kankan celebrated their birthdays during this ceremony. Many children were chosen to blow their candles, amongst whom Lancéi Traoré of Family House 6 and Bintou Sidibe of Family House 2. After exchanging Christmas wishes and presents a collation was shared and enjoyed by all. The SOS Children’s Village was thanked for all services rendered to the community by the City Mayor on behalf of the invitees.
As custom the Village gathered to present their Happy New Year wishes to the Village Director on January 11th 2008. During this occasion, the SOS International School Director-Kankan on behalf of his staff presented their New Year wishes. He also seized the opportunity to encourage the good working relationship. In return, the Village Director extended his thanks and appreciations of this kind gesture and hoped that this good collaboration continues.

Family Strengthening Programme
After N’zérékoré in 2005, Conakry in 2006 this programme is now functional in Kankan since February 14th 2008. It was launched in the Bordo district in the presence of local citizens, national and regional authorities. It covers 71 families among whom, 350 children are beneficiaries, 72 adults and 200 secondary children beneficiaries. The SOS Children National Director Guinea said that SOS Children intents to extend this programme to more beneficiaries (1 million children) by 2012. He then asked beneficiaries to make good use of this opportunity to achieve the goals of the program. This program is being conducted by JADE a local Non Govermental Organisation based in Kankan. At the launching ceremony the Social Welfare Minster was represented by the Deputy Minister who thanked the SOS Kinderdorf International for the good job and asked the local and regional authority to support SOS Children in its untiring efforts in order to over burden poverty in Guinea. The representative of beneficiaries expressed their thanks and appreciations to the SOS Children and promised to make good use of the assistance.

Growing up in Kankan, Guinea

School
March 15th 2008 marked the celebration of 24 pupil’s birthday among whom 8 SOS Children. It took place at the SOS International Nursery School in Kankan. This year the celebration made the Village vibrate with music and shouts of joy. Each child received a present from the Village director. Concerned children blew their candles and enjoyed their birthday cakes.

Successful children for the 2006/2007 school year National Exam from the SOS International Primary School were awarded their certificates on March 29th 2008 in the presence of Regional and Prefectorial Education Authorities amongst whom the Regional Education Inspector and the Students Parents Associations President. The recipients were encouraged by the regional education inspector who urged them to continue this good step.

Partnership
The bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Guinea and Republic of Mali on Child Exploitation cemented by a meeting held at the SOS Children’s Village Kankan from the 17th to the 19th January 2008. Social Welfare Ministers from two countries were among the 51 participants along with the national directors. The UNICEF Representative in Guinea was also present at this meeting. The SOS Children’s Villages Guinea National Director warmly welcomed this initiative and expressed his satisfactions and willingness to cooperate with local institutions in order to foster development in the community. He also promised to implement all recommendations made during this meeting. Both Social Welfare Ministers expressed the same idea of cooperation and commitment to this agreement.

Children's lives in Kankan, Guinea

Sport/Excursion
During the month of February, an Inter-School tournament was organised by the SOS International School in Kankan. All classes from grade 1 to grade 9 involving both male and female teams played. The final was played between the 4th grade and 9th grade. The female team from class 4th won the female team from class 9th 1 to 0. The boys from class 9th won class 4 boys by 2 to 0.

On April 16th - 18th the SOS International School made a field trip to a Mining Company in Sirigui (SAG) situated at 135km far from Kankan. All fifth and sixth grader who took part enjoyed this trip and found it both recreational and educational.

Political and Economical situation
Preparations for the Legislative Elections are underway. The Chief of the National Election Commission has visited many regions in order to explain electoral processes and sensitised the population for a free and fair election to come. All political parties concerned are also meeting their members and undergoing sensitisations for a high participation to the electoral process. The appointment of a new Primer Minister on May 20th 2008 wasn’t welcomed by some citizens while others appreciated the nomination and jubilated.

The depreciation of the Guinean Franc has been maintained since the appointment of the new Finance Minister. Notwithstanding, foodstuffs and other commodities are rarely seeing on the market; thus increasing their prices. Other improvements have been noticed like improved telecommunication systems and infrastructural constructions (roads and bridges).

Knowing that without your generous support, nothing of our dreams to help these children shape their own lives would become true, we would like, once again, to extend our thanks and appreciations for all your kindest support during this period and all that you continue doing.