SOS CHILDRENS VILLAGE INDIA - DEC 2011 UPDATE

The village where Sukdha lives, the little girl we sponsor, has been engaged in the care and development of children since 1974 and there are currently children in 14 family homes in the complex. They have a kindergarten, a Learning Centre with computers, a Library, an auditorium, playgrounds, and an infirmary/dispensary spread over five acres with gardens. Six new children came to them during the course of 2010.

They have 110 school going children in 25 different local schools. The children are doing well and all of them got promoted to the next higher class. Six of the children qualified in the Higher Secondary (class XII) Board Exam, and two of them have joined BCA and BBA courses at reputed institutes. Evening study sessions have been organised under supervision of village educators and tutors in various subjects to help the children.

A workshop on Career Counselling and soft skills development was organised for the children to hone their knowledge and skills to choose vocations according to their aptitudes. Other activities to promote overall development of the children were organised throughout the year and the children participated in them with much enthusiasm.

Interactive sessions with experts in child-rights, communication skills, personal grooming, job market, art and crafts, yoga and meditation, art living, stress management, conservation of natural resources and environment etc. have helped the children in their overall development.

They also have a Family Strengthening Programme for vulnerable families to make them self-sustaining through Self Help Groups and capacity building of care givers and their children is reaching out to nearly a hundred such families by providing economic help, counselling and other help and sustenance to them. Eighty FSP beneficiaries have now got bank accounts with their help, five attending a tailoring course, 12 children a course in Tally accounting system, 5 attended a computers course, 15 trained in making jute bags and 2 were assisted in getting regular employment. Two Self Help Groups were introduced to PNB Bank to facilitate loans.

All this has been possible with the generous support and encouragement from the donations gratefully received and made the work with the children successful.

You can help support this important work by making a donation on our Just Giving page, every penny will go direct to the SOS Childrens Village, making a brighter future for orphaned children like Sukdha.