Sponsor's update from Bhopal, India

Child sponsorship update from the SOS Children's Village Bhopal, India from Winter 2008.

Dear Friend,

Greetings from SOS Children’s Village, Bhopal !

A warm welcome to this New Year. We take the opportunity to look back on the highlight of last year. It is wonderful experience to see the dream of our, comes to life in the performance and well being of the children. It gives us hope, renewed strength and enthusiasm to go forth with confidence in to the new year, trying to do our best for the all round development of the character and personality of the children.

The village comprises of 16 family houses. Our village includes community house, village dispensary, primary school, tailoring center, library, a temple, youth house, gymnasium and a FIFA football ground which is used for children for playing, various activities, events conducted in the village and also Global Peace Games, a friendly football match for under 14 age group is organised every year. Strength of Hermann Gmeiner Primary School is 291, including the children of village as well as of outside community.

During the year 8 new children were added to our SOS family. We are providing special care so that they adjust easily to the village environment. So now village strength is 234, out of which 184 children are living in village, 50 youth are residing in Youth facilities. Out of 184 children of village 148 children are going to different schools, 10 girls are attending university, 10 girls are doing professional/vocational courses, 4 are undergoing apprenticeship and 12 small children are staying at home.

Academics: This year children did excellent in academics, the overall passing percentage was 98.7% and the achievement of this year was, out of total passed children, 67% children scored above 60 % marks. In class X and XII board examination children did well during the session. Based on their good marks, children who completed their class XII, got admission in renowned colleges and institutes. Out of 14 children who cleared class XII, 1 girl is pursuing one year Diploma Course in 3D Animation, 3 is doing Bachelor of Nursing 3 years course, 1 is doing Bachelor in Biotechnology(3 years course), 1 girl is doing General Nursing and Midwifery, 3½ years course, 2 girls are doing Bachelor of Arts, I girl is doing Bachelor of Computer Application and 1 is doing 2 years Teacher’s Training Course.

Children growing up at Bhopal, India

Family Strengthening Programme: As you know through Family Strengthening Programme we are reaching out to unprivileged families. So at present 511 children and 202 mothers are being supported under this programme. Under this programme 2 children are doing ITI and 2 are doing polytechnic. 9 FSP children are getting scholarship from Global Cancer Concern of India. A Training programme were organized for beneficiaries of this programme which was of 7 days, in which 20 trainees gained knowledge on Food preservation and their value addition. Also a workshop on tailoring and embroidery was organized in which 25 beneficiaries took part and learnt various tailoring and embroidery skills. 4 Self Help Groups have been formed and they are working smoothly.

Celebration of festivals: We celebrate all traditional festivals with zeal and enthusiasm. People from outside community also come and join and dine with us in these festivals which help in inculcating culture and tradition in our children. Out of all the festivals, Diwali the festival of lights is the most important festival in North India. Peoples believe that on Diwali Goddess of Wealth comes to everyone’s home, that’s why we start preparations for this festival like cleaning, painting and decorating houses, purchasing new clothes and making different types of delicious sweets 20 days before it.

We also celebrate Women’s and Mother’s Day in which children present various cultural programmes and various dignitaries grace the programme. This year on the occasion of Mother’s Day, mothers went to the trip at ‘Pachmari’ a small hill station in Madhya Pradesh. On Women’s Day considering the dedication towards their work 5 SOS mothers were honoured by the members of Senior Citizen Forum and Lion’s club. Our mothers attended the lecture on Art of living by Shree Shree Ravi Shankar ji, also his 2 disciples visited our village had interaction with children and did tree plantation in village medicinal garden.

This year our 2 girls and 2 boys tied nuptial knots with cultural rites & rituals. Their marriage ceremony was solemnized nicely. They all are well settled and happy with their married life. Money Gift savings were handed over to one of our married girl’s to purchase house.

Events at Bhopal, India

Village Activity: To develop an effective personality, Youth camp was organised in our village for 3 days. Total 110 children participated in the camp, 50 children from our village and 60 children from outside community. The camp was organised to achieve the main aim of motivating our village children, to learn the values and importance of Indian culture and to build up a strong foundation of their personality and success in life. During the year many painting competitions were organised by various groups in which our 3 children achieved 1st prize, 3 got 2nd Prize, other 3 got 3rd prize and rest of the children got participation certificates.

To generate awareness about SOS cause SOS Corporate Cricket Trophy-2008 was organised at FIFA Football Ground. In the event 12 Corporate Teams took part. Like every year this year also Global Peace games, a friendly Football Tournament for children of below 14 years age, was organised at FIFA football ground. Teams of 14 near by schools participated in the tournament.

Special Donation: As a special donation SOS Bhopal received funds from Life Insurance Corporation of India for purchase of school bus.

Youth Facility: Out of 53 youth of youth facility, 24 youngsters are attending school, 10 are attending university, 8 are doing vocational/ professional courses and 11 are doing apprenticeship. Children are not lacking in the field of sports also one of our youth played football upto National Level Competition this year. One of our youth was felicitated with ,’Raj Bhasha Gourav Sammaan’ as he secured highest marks in Hindi subject in class 10th MP Board examination in all schools of Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd. township, Bhopal. He was honoured with certificate and shield. During the year two youth started working and living independently.

Health check-ups and Medical Camps: General health of children and mothers remain fine and children are growing healthy. A Free Medical Check-up, dental and vaccination Camp for our village Children was organised at Village Dispensary time to time. Also 3 general health check-up, 2 immunisation camp of Hepatitis B in two phases and 1 oral health check-up camps were organised especially for beneficiaries of Family Strengthening Programme.

We once again thank you for your kind concern for children in need. We hope all is fine with you and your loved ones and wish you, Merry Chirstmas & Happy New Year 2009

With best wishes and warm regards,
Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

Dr. K. N. Pathak
Village Director