Sponsor's update from Guwahati, India

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

SOS Children's Village Guwahati joins hand with me and wishes you and your family "MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2009"

It is our privilege to take this golden opportunity to let you know about few of the events and developments at the SOS Children’s Village during the year.

Children’s Village:
We have brought home 11 new children. Presently, the total number of children in the village is 171 (114 girls & 57 boys) living under the loving care of sixteen dedicated mothers who are considered to be the epitome of love and care. Out of which 17 are in the hostel.

You will be happy to know that 16 children are attending in the Village Nursery School, 134 children attending Day Schools, 11 children attending Boarding School, 6 children are attending Vocational Course & 2 babies at home.

Educational & Vocational Achievements:
We feel proud to mention that this year 99% of the children successfully got promoted to the next higher class. Four girls have successfully completed their High Schools and got admission in senior school while one girl is pursuing Nursing in Vishakapatnam and two are in the Final Year at the Polytechnic. Six girls are undergoing one-year diploma course in Beauty Care at a reputed Beauty Institute in Guwahati while one girl has joined fashion designing. Another girl is doing Choreography and two more have joined dance class in a reputed dancing institution.

Youth House:
The Youth House takes care of 41 youths. One boy got through Higher Secondary and pursuing Bachelor in Business Management while two boys are undergoing 3 years diploma course in Hotel Management and 2 boys have joined as Motor mechanic training while one in Wielding at Don Bosco Technical Institution.

Settlements:
It is with pride we would like to mention here that 3 of our boys have settled in the mainstream of the society as decent citizens. We also held the marriage ceremony of one boy in the village and two girls got married.

Events in the community at Guwahati, India

Family Strengthening Programme (FSP):
SOS Children’s Villages believes that the best place for children to grow up is with their biological families. We are happy to say that we are providing basic education, nutritious food and health care to 601 children and supporting 226 families with different packages of services towards the education and nourishment of their children as well as helping them to enhance their income generation with skill development programme under Family Strengthening Programme. On the eve of International Women Day, a vocational training centre for school dropout girls under Family Strengthening Programme was inaugurated at Nahira village in partnership with Gandhi Smriti. Joint Secretary, Social Welfare, Govt. of Assam was the Chief Guest. Thirty-two families under Family Strengthening Programme came forward willingly and stated to be self-sufficient and can lead a decent lifestyle.

Activities & Achievements:
Regular workshops were conducted for Family Strengthening Beneficiaries on Skill development and Child Rights.
On the occasion of World Day against Child Labour, an awareness programme to highlight the plight of child labour was organised under the banner of EKTA, a network of NGOs. More than 300 children attended the programme from different schools and institutions. Our children also participated and performed a drama to make the participants understand easily the plight of child labour.

All Assam Tennis Ball Cricket Tournament was held where the Azara team was the champion team and the SOS team was the Best Discipline Team. The 4th junior North Eastern Archery competition was held in the village in association with Archery Association of Assam in the month of January. The third Independence Day 'National Archery Challenger’s Trophy, 2008’ was also held in the village with a two days’ programme in which total 9 teams of all over India participated.

To sensitise children towards themselves and their surroundings through theatre activities in a play way method, a workshop for 60 children on Personality development, communication skills, writing skills, negative and positive family and society for me, ideal society, meditation and painting was organised for 25 days with the help of “Sanskar Rang Toli” Theatre in Education Company of National School of Drama during the summer vacation.

Children participated in all Guwahati dancing competition and Painting and Fancy Dress competition organised at Don Bosco, Guwahati where they won prizes. For the children debating, painting, dancing, singing and Quiz competition are held in the village frequently.

We are happy to say that one girl left Guwahati to Norway for her study in the United World College, Norway by earning the full Scholarship. One girl and one boy have been selected to represent Assam in Youth Exchange programme in Thailand organised by Thai Embassy.

Children growing up at Guwahati, India

All the children in the village are in good health and in addition to the regular Medical check up, three general medical camps were held with the help of reputed doctors of Guwahati city.

We feel happy to share that five mothers were awarded with the SOS Ring honour for their dedication and selfless service in helping to build the careers of so many children.
Mothers attended Refresher Course at Mothers’ Training Centre in two batches. The refresher course was very useful and knowledgeable to them. Coworkers also attended workshop on Parenting Skills at National Training Centre in Faridabad. Also a seminar for 5 days was organised in good parenting skills for mothers and Three days Regional Mothers Workshop was organised.

Like yester years this year too, Mothers’ Day was celebrated in the village with great joy and enthusiasm. They were gifted with a beautiful saree as a token of respect to them for their dedication and noble work. Later Mothers’ Day cake was cut and all were very happy and rejoice.

The Honourable Chief Minister of Assam, Mr. Tarun Gogoi, graced SOS Day function and awarded the Best Discipline Boy, Girl and Hosteller 2007 and the Academic Achievers of the Village and blessed them all to be good and successful citizens.
The Village outlook is maintained well with varieties of trees and flowers planted beautifully and the village dispensary, computer lab, library and the auditorium are well taken care of and timely renovations were done.

We are proud to say that the Government of Assam recognised SOS Children’s Village, Guwahati as the Best Family Based Child Care.

Another proud moment for SOS Children’s Village Guwahati, when it received the ‘Best Organisation of the North East Award - 2007’ for its pioneering role in childcare and excellence in community development from the Assam Sports & Cultural Association.

We hope these words have given you an idea about the developments in the village. It is our privilege to tell you how thankful we are for your continuous support that makes possible to offer the children a better quality of life in a cozy family environment and help them shape their future.

Once again we wish you & your dear ones MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR 2009.

With best wishes to you and your family.

Yours sincerely,

Subash Koul
Village Director