Child sponsorship update from Jammu, India

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Jammu, India from Winter 2008.

Dear Friend,

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR.

It is with a feeling of deep joy and pride we take this opportunity to communicate with you through this letter. It is an honour and privilege that you have become a part of SOS Children’s Village, Jammu. Your valuable support helps us to reach out and help many “children in need”.

OUR VILLAGE
Once again a new span of days and weeks has come with a fresh New Year. Our SOS family is formed by 12 families with total of 138 children (51 boys and 87 girls) staying inside the village. Twenty one children were brought home during the year (13 boys and 09 girls). Thirteen children are in nursery school, 111 are in schools, 09 are pursuing vocational trainings, 02 are in colleges, 03 children are not attending the school as yet.

EDUCATION
Children performed well in their annual exams and almost all of them were promoted to the next grade. Children are enthusiastically participating in the process. Part time teachers are engaged for remedial and tutorial support. Regular physical training classes, spiritual classes, karate classes, drawing, dance, music and specially introduced study sessions have become an integrated feature of our children’s daily life in village.

HEALTH
All the children are growing healthy general medical camps like Eye, ENT and Dental checkups are conducted in the village for the children and mothers as well. Our basic vaccination program for children is going as per schedule.

Children's activities at Jammu, India

ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
The Jammu village had been organizing various functions and events. Holi, Raksha Bhandan, Eid, Durga Pooja, Janam Ashtami, Deepawali and various other festivals were celebrated at the village. The SOS Day was celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. Children presented cultural program on the event they were given prizes in various disciplines and for performing well in their academics.

The most auspicious day Janam Ashtami (Birthday of Lord Krishna) was celebrated in our village with great zeal and enthusiasm. On this day children, mothers and co-workers went to Lord Krishna Temple to celebrate this happy occasion. In the evening all the mothers, children and co-workers gathered in the activity hall and decorated the Statue of Lord Krishana with flowers. The prayer started at 09 pm and culminated at 12 pm in the night. Children and mothers sang devotional hymns on this occasion. The cultural group of the village presented skit on Lord Krishna.

A group of 8 girls of IX standard attended the NCC Camp organized at Nagrota at a distance of 12 kms from the children’s village. The girls went through a perfect schedule of exercises. The camp lasted for 10 days. The basic objective of the camp was to inculcate discipline among the participants and to ensure their all round development.

“Art of Parenting” Regular weekly classes are being organized for the mothers with the Help of Audio Visual Aids. The classes are being organised by one of our co-worker who was trained at National Training Centre, Faridabad. The training is also being imparted to the Mothers in community.

SOS Children’s Village, Jammu and Amway India opportunity foundation celebrated WORLD PEACE DAY in SOS village campus. The program started with the lightening of the lamp followed by the peace songs sung by the children and few children also spoke on the World Peace Day. On the occasion a drawing competition was organised in which the children of SOS and the children from the neighbors participated.

Children growing up at Jammu, India

YOUTH FACILITY
We have now 45 youths on roll in Youth facility located at a distance of 15 kms from the Village. Thirty six boys are attending different schools in the Jammu city and some are attending the boarding schools. Nine boys are pursuing different vocational courses and staying in their College Hostels or in rented accommodations. All our youths did well in their academics as well as co-curricular activities. Some of our boys are good in Football, Cricket and Hockey.

After passing XII standard with good percentage of marks one boy got admission in two years Paramedical Course of Dental Hygiene at Delhi. Another boy joined Institute of Physical Education at Amrawati, Maharashtra.

Through proper planning and counseling we have been able to get absorbed Seven our youth in job this year. They have been placed in reputed work places and institutions with lucrative perks, for construction of their own houses, equipping of house hold materials to start their own business, youth boys have been provided money gift as per their plan and requirement. We would like to share our happiness and achievement that two girls and two boys have been married this year. They are happy with their families.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Through family Strengthening Programme we have provided educational and other developmental services to 38 vulnerable families of nearby communities. We have reached out to 75 children in need and have provided them assistance to improve their educational, health and nutritional requirement. As a result, 15 children have been able to pass class X and XII examination this year. We have also provided support to 7 children for Engineering courses to help them become self sufficient in future. Some beneficiaries (mothers) are undergoing training in Knitting, tailoring, typing, computer and candle making. Fifteen women are now organised in Self Help Group to earn their livelihood through income generating activities.

Our community project SOS School, Jammu is a 10+2 affiliated school from Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi. The facility exists in the village premises for more than 800 students, coming from the near by locality are getting education from the school. This year board examination results of class X and XII was commendable. Inter school and intra school sports, literary were organized and conducted.

In the village premises we have the facilities like Outreach Centre, Play Ground, Community Hall, Library, Computer Lab, Sports Room, Music Room, Guest House, Village Office and Co-workers quarter etc. Besides we are having a Special Activity Centre to make the children self reliant. In these classes children are learning painting, Clay modeling, Paper craft, Dance, Games and others activities which are very useful for their independent living skills.

We feel joyful to thank you for your needful and timely support. We took forward to your support and help children shape their own future. We once again wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy, Prosperous New Year 2009.

With best wishes & regards.
Sincerely yours,

Sanjeev Bhat
Asstt. Village Director