Sponsors' update continued
22/11/2007
In Dhodial, the boundary wall and the buildings damaged by the earthquake in 2005 have been repaired and major development work has been completed in the Village. This includes the addition of a fifteenth family house, the renovation of the sewerage system and relocation of the Girls Vocational Training Centre. The SOS Primary and Secondary School now serve the needs of 305 children of whom 120 are from the local community. The school is becoming more popular because of the rising standards. An art classroom and a computer laboratory have recently been commissioned. Five girls are studying in college. One is studying medicine at the Abbottabad International Medical College, another will do her MBA from Hazara University whilst a third has recently obtained admission to the National College of Arts, Lahore. Following the earthquake, thirty children from the disaster area were provided shelter in the SOS Children’s Village Dhodial. An additional building has now been rented in Mansehra and we are caring for a further fifty children.
In January, some of the young adults we care for in the SOS Youth home in nearby Abbotobad, participated in the Downhill Ski Course held in Kala Bagh, and three took part in the 13th National Ski Competition organized in Malam Jabba. In the summer, some of them participated in the National Children Mountain Conservation Meet and also the Young Wilderness Adventure Course.
The projects in Karachi are buzzing with activity with a good balance maintained between the children’s studies and leisure activities. Great stress is laid on providing the children with a good education and this year’s exam results were very encouraging. Half obtained ‘A’ grades. Two children qualified for admission to the Army Public College and four to other colleges. Tuition is provided to help the children in weak areas and a series of workshops were held for the senior girls and boys to help improve their general knowledge, English language skills and awareness of current affairs. Due to popular demand the SOS Primary School now operates two shifts and positive comments are received from the parents. The success of the school can be judged from the exam results - 00% pass in the Arts Group and 99% in the Science Group. A feasibility report has been prepared for upgrading the school. The Medical Centre for women and children, sponsored by the Lane Foundation, provides excellent service, not only to our children, but also to the community, staff and students of the school. A doctor is available six days a week. Also courtesy of the Lane Foundation, one of our boys was operated on at OMI to correct a cleft lip. Another very complicated case was referred for surgery to specialists in India with Ms. Kay Lane personally travelling with the child and taking care of him throughout. He required lumbar spinal fusion and is now back home and undergoing physiotherapy. A six week summer school was organized to help the children with their holiday homework. This was followed by the popular summer camp, arranged each year by Family Educational Services. The children participated enthusiastically in all the activities and especially enjoyed the excursions to different places.
Rawalpindi is close to the capital, Islamabad, and so the SOS Children’s Village receives a steady stream of visitors. We are always happy to receive them and introduce them to our way of working. Amongst them have been many dignitaries from abroad, representatives of international and national organizations and, of course, our own supporters and sponsors. In January, Mrs. Rukhsana Aziz, wife of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, was the chief guest at an Eid television programme broadcast by Pakistan Television from the SOS Children’s Village. Many famous stars thrilled the children with their performances. In June, the Pakistan Arts Council organized a puppet show at which the District Nazim, Raja Jawaid Akhtar, was the chief guest.
In October Telenor, a Norwegian telecommunications company, donated Rs.3.2 million (more than £25,000), raised by the company’s employees. This is earmarked towards the cost of a family home in a new village and a minibus. In addition the company has sponsored earthquake orphans and given practical help with mobile communications and the sponsorship of fundraising programmes and newspaper supplements. The SOS Primary School is growing in popularity and there is an urgent need to build a secondary school. It is hoped that this can be done in the near future. Among the older children, some are in college doing a range of courses including accountancy, business studies and education. Others are training at the SOS Vocational Training Centre in a variety of skills including mechanics.
Relevant Countries: Pakistan.