Sponsor's update from Muyinga, Burundi

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Muyinga, Burundi from Winter 2008.

Dear Friends,

At this time where we are near the end of the year 2008, we still think about you and therefore we would like to send you our best greetings together with our wishes for Christmas and the New Year 2008.

As usual, it’s a good opportunity for us to thank you once again for your generosity and everyday support that you always display to the whole community of Muyinga SOS Children’s Village, on behalf of which this report is sent to you.

In fact, dear friends, your material as well as moral help always comes when we need it to prepare a best future for all the children and youths that we take in. Nowadays, our village puts up 149 children who live in 15 houses. Among then, 16 have been admitted in the village in August 2008, to replace 16 others who were transferred to youth facilities or indoor schools. Among these new children, 8 are registered to nursery school, 4 to primary school where as 4 others are still very young and therefore stay at home.

Moreover, the total number of our youths who live in youth facilities and indoor schools is 148. They are divided up as follows: 34 youths live constantly in our youth facilities of Muyinga, 45 youths in youth facilities of Bujumbura, a young lady and a young boy who are going to finish their studies at the Hermann Gmeiner Technical School of Kigali in Rwanda at the end of this year, a young boy who studies at the International College of Tema in Ghana, a young lady who continues her training in novice of the religious congregation of nuns of Lord whereas 3 others young girls who finished their professional school of sewing are being prepared for their independence.

In the same matter, let’s tell you that the rest of our youths live in different indoor schools of our country. Among them, 42 are at the SOS High school of Bujumbura and 20 others are scattered in the above mentioned schools.

As for marks of our youths, the are also good because the success of rate is 74% for the last school year. So, we have a great pleasure to let you know that 2 young ladies have finished their professional school where as 2 youths ( a girl and a boy ) have got their diplomas and are waiting to begin their university studies.

Concerning our SOS Primary school, our pupils worked very well having a look at their end year marks. In fact, 401 about 416 succeeded i.e. 94.38% for the school year 2007-2008. Besides, 47 pupils about 51 who were in 6th form are now in high school. Among them, 14 are for the village and one for the family strengthening program. There were 17 pupils form the village in 6th form.

Children growing up at Muyinga, Burundi

Children and youths who have their families spent their holidays with the latter whereas sports activities and cultural ones were planed for those who stayed in the village in order to be busy.

In order to improve our methods and therefore the quality of our performances in the matter of upbringing, representaves of pedagogical co-workers took part in the 2nd national forum on family education and youth supervising from 26 to 28 August.

It is also useful to mention that youth leaders and responsible for education have been trained to managing self-employment plans from 2 to 6 June at Bujumbura. While they were back to Muyinga, they taught the youths the same things. The latter also learnt once again the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, HIV/AIDS and illnesses transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Still talking about training the content of the Children’s Village Manual have been taught to SOS youths, new SOS mothers and aunts in order to be familiar with their job. We have to add that three SOS mothers hired in August 2006 got trained from 2 to 27 August 2008 at Kigali in Rwanda. We don’t forget a retreat for SOS mothers which took place at SOS High school of Bujumbura during the last weeks of July. It was a good opportunity for them to share theirs experiences.

As far as new approach towards children’s right is concerned the Village Director together with the one for SOS Primary school took part in a regional workshop held at Kigali in Rwanda from 22 to 26 September. The result of this will be seen in their performances with him future months and years.

Concerning our family strengthening program sheet metal and mails were given to 6 old tutors of vulnerable children whereas 20 beneficiaries finished their training in sewing and carpentry.

Talking about partnership, Global Peace Games took place on 31st October. These activities were shared by the Synergy of NGOs and associations working in favour of orphans and other vulnerable children that our Village Director presides at. Many children and youths took part to them through a walk and matches. In comparison with last times, security is somehow good nowadays. Nevertheless, we are still waiting the Palipehutu-FNL to do what they signed in order to insure totally the population.

Dear friends, we couldn’t finish this report without having addressed you our heartfelt greetings and our Christmas 2008 and New Year 2009 best wishes. May them be successful in whatever you will do.

Louis RWASA,
Village Director.