Sponsor's update from La Ceiba, Honduras

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village La Ceiba, Honduras from Winter 2008.

Dear Sponsors:

Receive a big hug from all the 164 children that lives in the SOS village la Ceiba. We wish that in your homes reign the peace and the love.

We are in communication with you again to tell you all the relevant activities that we had made during this year. It is happiness for us to say that we close this year with great achievements to our village and for our children.

This year we got the goal of receive 144 children in 16 families; as well 24 young people in 2 youth facilities; one for the boys and the other for the girls. Of them 98% approved their scholar year but also it is a pride to say that we have had four youths who have stood out this year: Oscar, who was studying in Costa Rica graduated as Agronomic Engineer; right now he is working in the Ceiba. Christian graduated from the United World College Costa Rica and he obtained a scholarship to study in United States of America where he is now. Yuni is studying medicine in Cuba and Marcia is studying English in Belize. Other four youths had found job and there are prepare to give the next step in 2009: their independence.

We are using the Government Psychology Programme and 20 children are attending in individual therapy and group therapy; although we have seen advances in the behavior of some; in other cases there are no improvements. The children who go to the special program education have improved their knowledge problems.

The natural disasters have given us a lot of problems because in this zone of the country the breath illnesses have increased. Our children have all our medical attention to prevent any emergency. This year the program of education was interrupted by the constant strikes of the teachers; for that reason we believe that the educational base will be deficient for the next year. The increase of the oil on the world market has affected our country that the life has become untenable for the high prices in the products of basic consumption. The SOS mothers have worked a lot to carry the crisis.

The children participated in the Boys Scouts Programme witch started in July. They learned about the responsibility, honor, human rights, leadership, etc. One of the most important experiences was the Child Day Celebration that they gave to the children from a poor community near to the Village. The Professional Training National Institute imparted a workshop of Piñatas. The Social Investment Honduran Found has given classes of mathematics, English and human relationship conferences.

The children due their first communion; 25 children were baptized, 4 youths participated in a Youths Journal. Rev. Salvador Gomez visited the Village to give us a message of hope and love. In August in the town we celebrated the month of the family. We also celebrated the Independence Day where the children showed their love for the country. The last day of October we organized for the fifth time the Cultural Night where the children showed their cultural abilities and their talent dancing, singing and playing the traditional games.

In general we are satisfied of the advances that our children and young people are having thanks to the support of thousands of friends around the world. We appreciate the samples of affection that you have had with our SOS village. We pray to God for each of you so that it always blesses you. Our best wishes: Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.

Sincerely,

Olman Flores Estrada
Director
Aldea Infantil SOS La Ceiba