Child sponsorship Bawana, India

Update for child sponsor supporters from the SOS Children's Village Bawana, India from Winter 2008.

Dear Friend,

The year is at its end and New Year is knocking our door to brighten our lives with new hope, wishes and possibilities. May this coming year bring plenty of peace, prosperity and good health for you. Winter has shown its arrival with blossomed flowers and greenery everywhere reminding us to send a retrospective note to you with seasonal greetings.

A home for children since 1974:
The SOS Children's Village, Bawana has for more then three decades been a beacon of the SOS mission in India (came into existence in 1974). It’s in the North of Delhi and is well connected by public transport facilities as well as has good electricity and telecommunication facilities. Its infrastructure spreads across 7.6 acres encompasses 19 family homes, a nursery school, dispensary, community centre, learning centre including a well equipped computer lab and library. Other then this it also has co-worker’s residences and village store. Recently the renovation of all family homes also took place which was possible due to your invaluable support.

We are successful in providing home to nineteen new children this year which includes eight boys and eleven girls. They have adjusted very well in the atmosphere of the village and are happy with their new families. At present, the SOS family comprising of 206 children, amongst them 123 girls and 83 boys are residing in the village with 19 mothers and aunts to support them. Apart from that, 53 children are staying in our youth houses.

Academic performance of children:
In response to our continuous efforts towards the advancement and better education of children, they have shown a satisfactory performance in this academic session. Continuous guidance and support of tutors is always there to keep-up their performance. Out of 179 children attending different schools, 167 successfully passed out their respective classes and are promoted to senior classes. The remaining 12 children are required to repeat their classes. In XII, all seven children passed their classes with good grades while in X, seven children out of eight, successfully passed their board examination. This is matter of great pleasure to share that one of our village children Shilpa has topped her class as well as School and scored 78% marks.

Working in the community at Bawana, India

Allied programme FSP (Family Strengthening Programme):
“Family Strengthening Programme (FSP)” is one of our allied programme under which educational, nutritional, health and career guidance is being provided to more than 400 children belonging to about 112 vulnerable families. These families are headed by single women. 25 scholarships are being provided to needy children who are undergoing technical courses from the community. 86 mothers are getting financial support and 60 non school going children are admitted to formal schools this year. Many Self Help Groups were also formed during the year with the aim to develop self reliant and mutual support. The groups members are extending financial support to each other through inter loaning. More then 80 women are being guided parental skills so that they can be self-reliant within a few years. We hope to help larger number of families expanding our programme in coming years.

Youth settlements and achievements:
Proper planning and counseling made possible the settlement of about twenty youths this year by now. We feel proud to inform you five of them have joined various reputed organisations and serving firms with dedication. More than ten youths were provided financial help through their money gift saving for settlement and other necessities. Fifteen youths are tied with nuptial knots. Amongst them, eleven are girls and three are boys. Most of these marriages were solemnized in the village. The couples are living a happy married life with their families.

Celebration of festivals:
This year all the major festivals of the region as well as our national festivals were celebrated in the village with lots of joy and great passion. The festival of “GANESHOTSAVA” was celebrated with great pomp and show. Prayers of Lord Ganesha were held for ten days, after that disperse of the idol was done. Besides that, Republic Day, Mother’s Day, Parent’s Day and Founder’s Day (Birthday of Dr. Hermann Gmeiner) were also celebrated with great zeal. “HOLI” and “DEEPAWALI” are the major festivals in India which were celebrated in the month of March and November respectively with great jubilance. On the occasions, the village and family homes were decorated and children, mothers and co-workers were gathered to wish each other.

Events at Bawana, India

Workshops and Trainings of the year:
Lots of workshops were attended by our co-workers organised throughout the year. In February, a workshop on “Study Skills” was organised. The expert, a psychologist, told children about the role of concentration and interest in bringing about good scholastic achievements. The children were helped to learn through simple concentration exercises. Another training programme on “Child Behaviour and Problems of Primary School’s Children” was organised by MAT, Ghaziabad. One of our FSP co-workers attended training on “Prevention of Micronutrient Malnutrition” at New Delhi, conducted by “National Institute of Public Co-operation and Child Development (NIPCCD), New Delhi”. In Sept 2008, a workshop was conducted under Family Strengthening Programme with concept “Parenting Skills". An eight day training programme on “Livelihood Formation” was held at KKID Institute at Coimbatore. Co-workers from all the SOS Children India participated in this training.

Village Activity:
The third week of April was celebrated as the “Water Conservation Week”. During this week Debate, Quiz, Face painting, Stone painting, Drawing competition and Poster making competition etc activities were organized for the children to make the children aware about the significance of water and how to conserve it? In April, 2008, the inauguration ceremony of rain water harvesting plant was held. This plant was established with collaboration of the company Coca Cola and NGO FORCE (Forum of Rain Water Conservation and Enhancement). It’s the biggest activity as well as achievement of the year of our village.

Health check-ups and Medical Camps:
In June, a medical camp was organised in the village by North Delhi Power Ltd., Delhi. A team of 20 doctors participated in this camp. These doctors were specialists from many different streams like Child specialist, Gynecologist, ENT specialist, Eye specialist and Dentist. Free medical consultancy and assistance was given to all. Some diagnostic tests (Hb, Sugar test etc) were also held free of cost. All the children are growing healthy and are in perfect health. All in all we can say that we stayed well all over the year.

Once again we extend our best wishes for MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR. We are happy about your association with us which makes possible for us to carry on our efforts with enthusiasm.

With best wishes and regards, I remain,

(Pradeep Kumar Jarwal)
Village Director