Child sponsorship update from Bhuj, India

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Bhuj, India from Winter 2008.

Dear Friend,

It is time to wish you and your family A Merry Christmas and a Happy Year 2009. It always makes us feel gratifying to share with you various developments that took place in SOS Children's Villages of India, Bhuj.

Our Village:
This year we were able to bring home 14 children (10 boys and 4 girls) in our village. At present we have 151 children under the loving care of 14 dedicated mothers in 14 family houses. They are all growing well in healthy environment. Out of 151, 25 children are staying at the SOS Youth House which is located at a distance of 3kms from the children's village. We feel happy to inform you that the village has a community hall, guest house, Library Co- workers residence and a fully equipped Computer Lab. A regular tutor is engaged for the children to enhance their skills in computers.

Academics:
When it comes to academics continuous guidance and support is provided to children to increase their performance. Three part time tutors are providing help to the children who are weak in studies. Overall academic performance of the children has been satisfactory. This year 3 girls of the village are preparing for the Xth examinations. Regular tuitions and other support are being provided to them to perform better in these examinations.

Youth:
We are happy to inform about 25 children staying at SOS Youth house, their overall growth is satisfactory and they are preparing for their future. Career counseling is being provided to youth interested in making their career. One of our Youth scored 64% marks in his XII examinations. Many of the youth have also enrolled for different Vocational Training Programmes. Youth visited the Old age home and interacted with the people staying there and tried to know about their life, how they lived and how are they feeling staying at this old age home.

Allied Programmes:
The Family Strengthening Programme is aimed at preventing child abandonment and neglect. Support is being provided to those families where there is a high probability of neglect of children due to various social and economic reasons. At present nearly 750 children of 250 families are being supported through this Programme through a package of services. Depending on the need of the family they are provided with necessary supports in the fields of Nutrition, Education, Medical, Various skill development programmes like Tailoring Programmes. Self Help Groups of women are also formed through which livelihood programmes & micro finance support is also being provided for attaining self - independence so that their children can enjoy dignified childhood.

Children growing up at Bhuj, India

Cultural:
This year many cultural activities and festivals were celebrated in the village with active participation and great enthusiasm. “Holi” and “Diwali” are the two major festivals which were celebrated with great enthusiasm and vigor. On these days the whole village was adorned with colorful lights and all the children, mothers and coworkers wished each other.

The festival of “Ganeshotsav” was celebrated in the month of September with active participation by all the children, mothers and coworkers of the village. Prayers were offered to Lord Ganesha for two days and then the idol of Lord Ganesha was immersed in water requesting him to come back the next year to relieve the mankind of pain, sorrows and bring joy in their lives.

Festival of “Navratri” (offering prayers to Goddess Durga) was celebrated in the month of October. Traditional dances and Garba (Folk dance of Gujarat) were performed by children they also had the opportunity to participate in events like “Dandia” (a folk dance). Along with it Republic Day, Mothers Day, Founder’s Birthday, International Women’s Day were also celebrated with great zeal.

Summer Activities:
This year during the summer vacations many activities were organised like Drawing & Painting competition, chess competition, Debates. The children actively participated in these event and won many prizes Sports events was organised for the children who actively participated in the different events like High Jump, 100 metres running, Hop Jump, Shot put, Discuss throw etc. The winners were awarded on the SOS Day function. One of the children Ramesh Senglia stood Third in the under 19 years Running Race competition organised at District Level. The children also visited the nearby communities and increased their interaction with the children and families of the neighbouring communities.

Medical Centre:
General health check ups are being organised for the children of the village by SOS Social and Medical Centre. You will be happy to know that all the children are very healthy. Medical consultations and awareness about diseases are also conducted. Medical camps and Health Awareness camps are also organised in the surrounding areas. The aim is to provide quality health care to the areas from the neighborhood. With generous support this year we have been able to acquire an Ambulance which has helped to provide the necessary support to the neighbouring communities during emergency.

Your kind help enable us to do work. Therefore on behalf of all us I would like to thank you and convey our gratitude and appreciation.

Once again 'MERRY CHRISTMAS and a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR’ 09'

With best wishes and warm regards I remain,

Yours Sincerely

K.S.Dubey
Village Director