Child sponsorship update from Pune, India

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Pune, India from November 2008.

Dear Sponsor,

It is our privilege to wish you and your family, "A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2009." In these moments of joy and happiness we also share with you the developments, major and joyous moments at SOS Children’s Village Pune during the year 2008.

We brought home 27children during the last year; 203 children are there in our family in which 121 are girls and 82 are boys looked after by 20 dedicated mothers. The village is functional with 20 well-equipped Family homes, Nursery School, Library, Renovated Medical Centre, Community hall, Washing Centre with 4 fully automatic washing machines and a big playground with swings, sea saw and slides. Major repairs in the family homes such as water leakage, renovation of Kitchen platforms carried out.

Academic: We achieved 83.04 %results from our primary and secondary section. The academic performance of our children in class X and XII State Board Exams has been very encouraging. 9 girls passed class X and got admission to pre University course. They joined Arts and Commerce streams. 6 of our girls passed class XII Arts and got admission to degree course like Arts, Science, Hotel Management, Fashion Designing. Three of girls are doing degree course like B.Sc and General Nursing Midwifery. One of girl is doing 2-D animation course. We have two tiny tots who will start attending Kindergarten from next year. 3 of our daughters are taking their education from Baramati.

Sports and Activities - Achievements:

Our children were not behind in sports and co curricular activities. We always encourage them to participate in all the activities. One of our girl and her college team won soccer inter college tournament. Many children have won several prizes in local as well as school competitions like Athletics, Drawing, Fancy Dress, Dance and Singing etc. One of our girl is very good in Dance so she is regularly participated in the college activities. Recently she did her shooting for a T.V. channel. 32 children are attending Martial Arts Classes and 26 girls are appeared for the Bharat Natyam examination. A 15 days residential holiday camp was organised for all the children at Baramati in district Pune. The camp was designed to initiate children to Yoga, Meditation, Drawing, Craftwork, Clay models, Personal hygiene etc.

All festivals like Republic Day , Independence Day , SOS Day , Mother’s Day , Foundation Day, Gokul Asthami ,Holi , Ganesh Ustav , Diwali , Christmas were celebrated in the village. We celebrated birth anniversary of Lord Krishana which is known Gokul Asthami . Earthen pot containing yoghurt breaking ceremony was organised and children enjoyed a lot by dancing and singing a song. Children built up human pyramid to break the pot and after half an hour the children succeeded in breaking it. At the end sweets were distributed to all.

Mothers refreshers training programme was organised from 15th July to 19th July 2008 in the village in which expert faculties were invited to share their thoughts on various subjects like Child Development and Mothers role, Importance of mother in SOS movement, Family management , Sex education and Personal hygiene, Yoga & Meditation etc.

As you must aware, that Pune is progressive city many Software companies developed in the city. These companies are approaching us to fulfill their social corporate responsibilities. These companies are not only helping us financially but also give some valuable inputs through various games, movies, activities like sports, drawing , dance & singing competitions, magic show, spoken English, computer training for the children in the village. Two of our girls got married during the year. One of our girls has been awarded the AVISHKAR award for the best performance during year 2007-08. Two of our boys passed entrance examination of Sainiki School and got admission in the school. Two of our girls joined as a nurse in well known hospitals. One girl has joined in Titan Watch Showroom as a sales girl.

Supporting children and communities at Pune, India

Youth House:
We have 67 youth on roll, 18 are perusing their studies and 49 are doing University courses / Vocational / Technical courses. All our youth did well in their academics as well as in co curricular activities. Some of our boys are good in Soccer, Cricket and Athletics and they have performed excellently in these competitions organized in the school. They also had awareness class on career guidance from outside resource person. We have 20 girls in our girls' facility who are studying in Universities and Vocational courses. 8 boys have completed their apprentice from various firms and joined in well known companies. Three boys have joined as sales representative, three girls joined as a nurse in reputed hospitals. One girl joined as teacher and a boy joined in a well known BPO. The boys and girls who are working in different firms are doing their jobs satisfactory. Many of them settled in life with suitable careers like Machine operators, Salesman, Catering and Nurse.

Health:
Many programmes related to health care were organised for the children. In January Vaccination of Hepatitis A, B, MMR and Typhoid was given to all children. General medical check up, eye & dental camp were conducted. Doctors from reputed hospitals carried out these medical camps and administrated necessary medicines. Mothers and Children of family strengthening programme also participated in these programmes. All children are keeping good physical and psychological health.

Special Donations:
One company from Mumbai donated 3 lacs for school from which we purchased two Computers, Books for library, Cupboards, Chairs, Tables, Sports equipments and Tricycles. One of reputed Builder helped for the renovation of kitchen platforms, one of our sponsors donated 4 Automatic washing machines, Colour Television and helped to renovate Medical centre and Washing Centre. We also got 20 water tanks of 500 liters for each home.

Family Strengthening Programme:
We have been supporting single women headed families living in poor economic condition. We are providing financial support to educate and provide proper nutrition to their children. We help these families by providing a package of services to improve their living condition and attain self sufficiency over a period of time. We have covered 99 families and their 205 needy children. Time to time workshops on varied issues like Personality Development, Career Counseling, Self-help Groups and Child rights were organized through out the year. Dental and ENT camp were also organized. Children were enrolling in various Vocational courses like MS-CIT, Basic computers and English typing course. 14 Mother have completed Fashion Designing course and started earning on their own. We succeed to from five Self Help Groups. Home study of 40 more children have been completed. Our aim is to reach 250 children by the end of this year.

Dear friend it is your support, friendship and generosity, which enable us to carry on our work with towering dreams for the children! We hope to continue to receive your cooperation always to ensure a full life and a bright future to our children. Once again our warm good wishes to you, your family and friends!

Yours sincerely,

Vaishnavi Joglekar
Village Director