Sponsor's update from Ennerdale, South Africa

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Ennerdale, South Africa from Winter 2008.

I would like to extend a very warm and heartfelt greeting to you and your family from a sunny South Africa, trusting that the year has been blessed and has brought with it the joy and happiness you had hoped for.

At the Village we strive to bring our vision to life by ensuring that every child admitted belongs to a family and grows with the love respect and security they deserve. During the past few months we have admitted four children to our village and we are happy to say that they have adapted well to their new surroundings and changed lives with the help of our SOS Mothers and other dedicated staff.

In April, five of our village girls formed part of a special project in which they were afforded the opportunity, to share the turning points in their lives since being admitted to SOS Children’s Villages. Short films were made of the girl’s testimonies which have inspired many children at the village to follow, and strive to make use of the opportunities afforded. The successful graduation of one of our university students, Rosemary Mbhata, specializing in Marketing Management was a highlighted moment in the life of this young lady, who has invested everything of herself over the last three years into her career development. These special moments in the lives of our children also serve as an inspiration to our staff making them savor the time and effort they have invested in making a difference in the children’s lives.

Eight of our youth were awarded their Silver and Bronze medals for their participation in the Presidents Awards Programme. One of our former youth successfully completed her tertiary education in Information Technology at the end of 2007, passing with distinctions. She started working at Voda World in June 2008 and has managed to purchase herself a new car. She is an inspiration to her brothers and sisters and constantly reminds them, that anything that they can dream they can achieve.

Events at Ennerdale, South Africa

Our bi-annual event, “Women of Courage” was held in May at which women from SOS and the Community was honored for their selfless acts of courage and bravery to protect and develop children placed in their care. Martha Solomons one of our longest serving SOS Mothers’ was nominated as one of the women who made an exceptional contribution and has positively impacted many children’s lives during her years of service.

A very successful Annual Village Celebration was held on the 03 September 2008. The theme of the event, ”New Beginnings” outlined 25 years of successful care of children, and how we have evolved and changed to relevantly address the needs of children. Colorful dress displays and mind dazzling feats of performances from both mothers’ and children exhibiting energetic dancing routines from the likings of the “Manhattans to Mango Grove” had the crowds shouting for more.

A traditional Zulu dance from our SOS Nursery School children brought the crowd to their feet joining in on the cultural dance, dipping and swaying to the beat.

The village’s long serving SOS Mother, Martha Solomons, retired at the end of September 2008. She served the organisation loyally for 23 years and has reared three generations of SOS children successfully during this period. During her farewell party Martha’s children paid tribute to their SOS Mother by citing poems and dedicating their innermost feelings in song to their SOS Mother who took the time to successfully raise them. Martha has moved from a position of Mother to Grandmother and has been given a place in the sun, across the village where her children can on a daily basis visit her at her retirement cottage and where she still forms part of our Village.

Working in partnership with communities at Ennerdale, South Africa

Our Family Strengthening Programme still continues to supply and meet the need of community children and is currently assisting one hundred and fifty six families. The Program in partnership with one of the world banks, HSBC, has embarked on an exciting food gardening project which 30 programme caregivers will benefit from. The staff from HSBC and the caregivers was actively involved in the development of the gardening project.

Our SOS Nursery School is currently assisting seventy six children; seventeen from SOS Children’s Villages and fifteen seven from our Family Strengthening Programme.

Our SOS Nursery School together with 18 other Community Creches had a successful Art and Culture day where children were given an opportunity to exhibited their art and cultural dances. Heritage Day was celebrated with teachers’ and children all dressed up in different African cultures. The children enjoyed the day and also learned more about the different cultures in our Country.

In closing once again, we would like to thank you for your loyal and selfless support throughout the years. We hope that you and your family will have a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Thank you.