Child Sponsorship Report 2009, from Vilnius, Lithuania

Dear sponsor,

Letter from SOS children’s village Lithuania have reached you this summer again to tell you some news about our life.

Everybody in the village is engaged with different activities. SOS mothers are organizing summer activities for children and are busy with daily duties. Children are dreaming about holidays and waiting for the end of school year.

First half of the year was very active and impressive. Eight SOS village boys participated in two days tournament organised for Lithuanian care houses children. 200 children from 15 care houses spent time pleasantly in the playing field and outside of it.

Also, at the end of February four our youngsters participated in SOS youths interchange project “Run for Fun” together with a peers from Italy, Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro in Italy. The project was financed by EU program "Active Youth”. The main interchange aim - purposeful, thoughtful, innovative leisure time engagement. Participants discussed what stereotypes of young people in different countries are; what they do, how they dress, who they talk to and how spend their free time. Youngsters thought of new interesting ways of how to spend free time and have tried it themselves.

On 24th of February all Lithuania and SOS village celebrated very joyfully and noisy Pancakes Day. SOS mothers, aunts, educators feasted others with their home made pancakes and potato pies. Little evil creature offered black as coal and hot as fire tea. All were in masks; goats, beggars, gypsies. They were dancing and singing: “Winter winter go away!” as everybody wanted to frighten winter away and invite spring over. Different competitions were organised in order to find out who is the strongest, fastest and etc. In Lithuania Pancakes Day or Fat Tuesday takes place during the seventh week before Easter (Ash Wednesday). This time marks the end of the season of meat eating and becomes a noisy and happy day. An effigy of winter (usually named Morė) is burnt. A major element of the holiday, meant to symbolize the defeat of winter is a staged battle between Lašininis ("porker"), personifying winter, and Kanapinis ("hempen man"), who personifies spring. The participants dance and eat the traditional dish of the holiday - pancakes with a variety of toppings, since round shape of pancakes are a symbol of the returning sun.

First Sunday after Easter is called children’s Easter, during which SOS children were painting nesting boxes for birds. Children together with Vilnius Jesuit High school pupils spent time making boxes after that painted them together with their families and friends. Children were singing, rolling eggs and pies were melting in their mouths... It‘s so pleasant to meet spring with good achievements.

And the last but not the least event was SOS village’s 14th birthday, it was celebrated on 19th of June. Good and grateful words were told to our sponsors, faithful friends and educators who have been with us for many years. Children were singing dancing and playing on various music instruments. Our friends from military organisations, arranged sport competitions for active children, all could try their strength and will power. As the weather was wonderful, we enjoyed a great day and had picnic out in the nature. It’s a great summer start!

Summer brings us nice warm sun, so wishing you sunshine, good mood and beautiful moments.

Thank You for being with us, your care, attention and support!