Child sponsorship update from Makeni, Sierra Leone

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Makeni, Sierra Leone from Summer 2008.

We normally send reports to our sponsors during summer, therefore it is with great pleasure that I write to inform you about important activities undertaken; developments and achievements of the SOS Children’s Village Makeni, Sierra Leone, your sponsored facility.

During the reporting period the SOS Children’s Village has 60 children in admission 25 Boys and 35 Girls ranging from 0 - 10yrs. Fifty out of the above number have been admitted into formal schooling, 23 in the Nursery School and (10 boys and 13 girls) and thirty one at the SOS International School (13 boys and 18 girls) primary school.

The SOS Children’s Village Makeni continues to be the icon of the Makeni Township and its environs and a center of attraction for important personalities. The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma paid an unannounced visit to the Village and was taken on a conducted tour by the Village Director. He was highly impressed and commended the good work of SOS in Sierra Leone. The inhabitants of Makeni Town however, lived far below the poverty belt, and not able to afford two square meals a day. This harsh reality however continued to expose children and woman to exploitation as most children are in the street selling cold water, cola nut, cigarettes and sweets. During this process some of the girl children are sexually exploited and abused, access to quality education is a privilege to most of the children as their parents can not pay the cost, not to mention the affordability and accessibility to Medicare with high prices of drugs and consultation fees.

As was planned, the Village Administration organized an outing session for SOS Children’s Village Makeni to Magbenteh Gardens, a local entertainment complex as part of the Christmas celebrations.

The mother speaker of the village, Rose Marie Tucker, the Social Worker, Village Director and all SOS staff worked collectively with the mothers to make this outing a success. It was a three miles journey from the children’s village to the gardens. The children, mothers and members of the Village Administration left in batches for Magbenteh Gardens. Upon arrival, the proprietor of the Gardens took them on a conducted tour of the gardens and the facilities provided. Children were entertained with music and there was a lot of singing and dancing amongst the children especially some of whom for them was the first time to go out of the village. They were very much excited to play in another environment and meet with other children.

Events at Makeni, Sierra Leone

They had the opportunity to make use of the facilities in the garden as they moved freely and take part in different games. They were entertained with food, drinks and interacted with other children and made new friends. During the refreshment and entertainment, snap shots were taken at different locations; mothers also took photos with their SOS Children. They were organised into groups moving about the garden inspecting the facilities and asking questions. The Social Worker organised the children into groups for dancing competition and miming. This climaxed the occasion as children jubilated with the competitive spirit in them. The Village Director reminded them of the adage a sound mind in a sound body; and thanked them immensely for their involvement and contribution towards the success of the entire programme. The children were very happy and they appreciated this activity. They all looked forward to the day they will have the opportunity to go out again for an outing or field trip.

In our drive to promote networking, the Village Director and Administrative Team made follow-up visits to Right to Play, War Child, Action Aid, Makeni City Council, Primary Health Care and Swiss Foundation, Magbenteh to sensitise them on the SOS Vision, Mission and Values.

In February 2008, the Country Representative, Swiss Foundation, the Medical Doctor, Radiologist and the Financial Controller paid an official visit to the Children’s Village Makeni to explore possible areas of collaboration. A formal welcome programme was organised fruitful discussions were held and the head of the team promised to sign an MOU for the free treatment of under five children at the Magbenteh Hospital, Makeni. The Village Staff and children witnessed this occasion the move in a bid to open up to the community and to explore areas of collaboration.

The SOS Children’s Village Makeni spent their Easter celebrations quietly. Special food was prepared for the children on the 23rd and 24th March, 2008 and children with Christian backgrounds were taken to different churches to attend service. They left the village between 9:00 and 10: 00 a.m neatly dressed and returned by 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. During the 6 ‘O’ clock prayer meeting a special service was held to observe the day, the Village Director and the Mother Speaker admonished the children on the importance of Easter celebrations and what significance will it have in their lives as members of the future generation and the leaders of tomorrow.

They all engaged in different types of activities. Some played football at the school field; others used the swing and the merry go round, while others played in door games.

Mother’s and Aunties from the SOS Children’s Village, Makeni together celebrated Mother’s Day on 16th May, 2008. A programme was organised in the children’s village during which statements were given by the Councillor of the Makama area, the community of the village, Village Director and Project Director of the SOS Nursery School. All the statements pointed to one direction that is expressing the importance of mothers and why they should be recognised.

We are now in the rainy season and all the leaves and flowers are green again. The children will soon start their summer vacation; the older ones will go for holiday jobs whilst the much younger ones will enjoy programmes organised for them by the authorities during that period.

We want this opportunity to thank you once more for all your support, financially, morally and otherwise, without which all the above would not been possible in this facility and we hope to have you in our SOS family for a very long time.

Yours faithfully,

Mrs. Fatmata M. Taylor
SOS Children Sierra Leone