Child sponsorship update from Battonya, Hungary

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Battonya, Hungary from Winter 2008.

Dear Friends,

Christmas time is approaching and it is time to draw up a balance of the passing year. Children are enjoying the autumn holiday now but they might be sledging by the time you read this report.

Let me give you an account of life in the SOS children’s village in Battonya. 79 children and young people live in 12 families. The number of people who pass the final exam is rising from year to year. 7 youngsters got a diploma. 2 of them became teachers, 4 are nursery school teachers and one became an economist. We are proud of these results. Many of our former children are already self supported and live in their own flat. Leaders and SOS mothers have the same goal; to motivate children to study better so that they can find a good job in the future. It is really important to teach them how to lead their own life.

Life in the SOS Children’s Village is always full of several programs. Besides handy craft activities or folk dance, there are special classes in Mathematics, English language and other kinds of developing activities.
Our children had the chance to spend the summer holiday in several regions. The nursery school children stayed in the south Hungarian city, Dévaványa, pupils of the primary school spent wonderful weeks in the international SOS holiday camp in Caldonazzo and students of the secondary school had a nice time in Cegléd, a city in the middle Hungarian.

In April a completely new family moved in the newly built house which was handed over last November. A new coming SOS mother could start a new life with 6 new children, 6 biological sisters and brothers. Last November there was also another building handed over to the children’s village where were opened the development centre and the clinic. The next goal concerning the infrastructure is to renew the playground as well as the sports ground and of the inner roads. We are seeking financial sources for this work.

We are the happiest if somebody of our children can be led back to his/her biological family. This year was an especially successful year because 4 children live already together with their biological family. The most touching story was when with a DNA test came to light who the father of one of our children was. The father lives in rather good financial circumstances and he was very happy about this new event. The 12- year- old child spent with him more and more time, and finally the father wanted to live together with his child. Now they live happily together.

Children who are going to celebrate Christmas Eve together with their own family are going to be the happiest ones. We will try to make this holiday as happy as we can also for the other children who will have to stay in the children’s village.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year on behalf of all the children and co-workers and thank you for your commitment and support.

Szabolcs Németh
Village Director