Child Sponsorship Report 2009, from Kankan, Guinea

Dear sponsors,

We find it very interesting sharing with you dear sponsors, activities that occurred in our  SOS Children’s Village and its ancillary projects as your assistance make us to help our children shape their own lives. Once again thanks for your continuous contributions during this last period of they year 2009.

SOS Children's Village

In June 2009, one of the activities that drew the attention of all (children, mothers, aunties and other employees) likewise our neighbouring community was the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the SOS Children’s Villages on June 23rd 2009. All employees prepared to welcome their guests; they were all dressed in their special uniforms likewise the children. Very special decorations were made for the purpose.  Among many personalities that attended the ceremony we recognized the presence the City Mayor and Governor of the Administrative Region of Kankan. During his speech the Governor extended his thanks and appreciations to the world wide workers of SOS Children's Villages International and magnified this very humanitarian ideal of Dr Hermann Gmeiner that has a very positive impact on each and every ones’ life today. He also used the opportunity to reaffirm the Guinean Government willingness to work towards a better collaboration for the cause of many destitute children in the country. Some marking events during this day were donations made by some organisations and companies present at the ceremony. Tee-shirts and caps were given to our SOS children, mothers, aunties and employees. During an interview by one of the radios present, the manger of NESTLE –Guinea said knowing the level of work done by the SOS Children's Villages International it is a pleasure for his company to donate these things if it only could help to restore the happiness of these children the country while not world as well.

The initiation of our children to some manual training was our first step taken during their school holidays in July before they left for their biological families. This training program was introduced to the children since 2005. They find it interesting and appreciate the ideal so well. Many of them who did tailoring are now mending and also use the sewing machines at home as well. In doing so we intend to give them an insight on the outside world and have some working knowledge. All these preparations are to help them be self-reliance before their definitive resettlement.

On September 15th 2009, all our children who went for their school holidays returned to the SOS Children’s Village and were very happy to meet each another more especially their SOS mothers. Actually they are undergoing their medical check-ups before starting school.

Some activities planned for the Christmas week are a visit to a gold mining company roughly 120 kilometers far from the SOS Children Village and an excursion to the River Niger which is third largest river in Africa. It is 4 184km long and takes it source from Faranah in Guinea passing through the republic of Mali, Niger, Benin and Nigeria where it joins the  Atlantic Ocean. Our children love visiting this place due to the many agricultural activities found along the river side by its inhabitants. There you can see many different types of fruits and vegetables.

Continue Mothers’ Training Programme

During August 2009, our mothers, aunties and older girls in the village received some training from the American Peace Corps in Kankan pertaining to their vegetable gardens and how to make fruits jam. They also had some dyeing activities during which they made bed spread and table naps for their homes.

SOS-Nursery

During the last period of the school year our nursery school organized a competition for the best writer, painter and drawer in all classes accept the toddlers’ class. It was very interesting and you could see beautiful drawing and painting made by the children of course in every competition there’s must be a winner. This game was highly appreciated by the pupils likewise their parents who attended the competition. During the closing program all our children were successful for their next class and six left the nursery for the Primary School as first graders. Presently the Nursery School is preparing for new opening for the school year 2009/2010.

SOS Primary and Junior High

After their brilliant participant in series of contest called ‘Talents Meeting’ and the Nabaya Culture we mentioned in our last report, our school concentrated efforts on preparing their students and pupils more especially the national exams ones. During the closing program 92% of our children were successful for their next classes and 100% of exams candidates were also successful ones. This year we registered more then 776 parents request for registrations and we satisfied 375 despite our two sections due to infrastructural reasons.

SOS Family Strengthening Programme

In order to help provide better living condition for many vulnerable families the Family Strengthening Programme proceeded with recruitment of 124 new beneficiary children from 24 families. This has increased the total number of beneficiaries to 478 children from 96 families. Through this program SOS Luxembourg constructed a borehole for a neighboring community called Denkakono. This borehole meant the whole world to the people from this community who since their independence had never had safe drinking water. They went about two to three kilometers far in search for safe drinking water until the found this joy of having safe drinking water in their environment. This is how very important your help is to our community. Actually the counseling program for the Income Generating Activities continues and many families are really improving their living standards through your kind assistance.   

Political and Economical situation

The political situation has gone very serious between opposition leaders and the government. The last strike organized on the September 28th 2009, by the opposition leaders lead to the death of 157 people. This clash has brought a real instability to the political situation in the country. Until now we noticed that many NGOs in our capital city are closed to an indefinite period likewise few embassies. More over the French Government requested the return of all their citizens closing the French School for this period. Prices of foodstuff and other commodities are noticing a very high inflation likewise the currency. However our SOS Children’s Village with its 120 children and ancillary projects are still safe from the situation.

Due to this instability we make it our first priority to send you our report as earlier in order to have you informed and comply with our obligations towards you. We wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a very bright and prosperous New Year 2010.  Enclosed, is a greeting card and a photo of your sponsored child/facility.