Child sponsorship update from Tanta
01/02/2008
As the New Year approaches, the children from SOS Children’s Village Tanta look back on a year full of activity and achievement. The year 2007 was a very eventful year for all the families of SOS Children’s Village Tanta.
On 27 June, 2007, SOS Children’s Village Tanta held a delightful party for all the children who passed in school. This year was a very good school year in terms of results, as 95% of the children of SOS Children’s Village Tanta passed their end of year exams, and could now welcome the summer vacation. In addition, throughout the summer vacation many of the children participated in summer classes to improve their academic skills.
This year one of the mothers at SOS Children’s Village Tanta won the “Model Mother” award. This is an award given each year to honour mothers for their dedication and care for their children. SOS mother, Nahed Zaki, won the award for the whole of the Gharbia Governorate for 2007 and the governor of Gharbia himself handed her a certificate of achievement. SOS Children’s Village Tanta celebrated the event and held a large party for all the mothers.
The children of SOS Children’s Village Tanta are now actively participating in the decision making process in the village, through the newly implemented children’s parliament. The parliament members meet and discuss the needs and demands of the children, which are then taken to the village administration and accomplished as much as possible.
This year also witnessed several joyful events. Nawal, a young lady who grew up in SOS Children’s Village Tanta, married another former youth, Samir. In addition, another young lady, Samiha, who grew up in the village got engaged this year to a young man who owns a shoe shop.
During the year there were several celebrations and extra-curricular activities. A local NGO held several plays and events with a dual purpose of entertainment and awareness about the dangers of drugs and smoking. There was a trip to a hospital where the children of SOS Children’s Village Tanta went to console and help patients. In spring, the village held a party to celebrate Orphan’s Day in the village, in cooperation with several local NGOs. There was also a trip to the Pepsi factory, where the children witnessed first hand the process of production of soft drinks. The children also went on a trip to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo where they saw the remains of ancient Egyptian civilization and learned more about their country’s history.
The year was also full of sports activities. Many children joined gymnastics training in the summer, while others participated in swimming classes, football training and many other summer sports activities.
Finally, thanks to your support and generosity, we are able to look back on the year 2007 as an eventful and active year in which the children of SOS Children’s Village Tanta were able to study hard and play hard and learn many new things. Thank you for your constant commitment and support.
Sponsor's update from Cairo
It is now the beginning of winter in Cairo, and the children at SOS Children’s Village Cairo are getting ready for the Muslim Eid and Christmas holidays, which will overlap this year once again. Both Muslim and Christian children will celebrate their holidays together at the same time and the last days of the year will be days of festivities and joy.
Throughout the year 2007, SOS Children’s Village Cairo witnessed various events and important changes. One of the female youths from the girls’ youth house in the SOS Children’s Village married during this year. Another young woman got engaged this year.
One of the children, a little girl, who was living at SOS Children’s Village Cairo, left the village to join a foster family. It was difficult to part with her and all her friends and the entire SOS Children’s Village family parted with her in tears and they all miss her very much. Everyone wishes her a happy life with her new family.
The year also witnessed a number of other changes. Thirteen male youths left SOS Children’s Village Cairo to join the youth houses. They are now being prepared for higher education and to lead their own independent lives in a few years. A number of children were moved from their previous schools to other schools and unfortunately, there are three children repeating the academic year.
Unfortunately, several SOS aunts resigned their positions this year and left the village. They have parted with the SOS family as friends and many miss them very much.
There were several recreational trips throughout the year to various destinations in Cairo. There was a trip early in the year to Saladin’s Citadel, where the children had the opportunity to visit one of Cairo’s most beautiful medieval sites. On another occasion, all the children went to visit the International Garden near the SOS Children’s Village, where they spent a day full of play and fun amid greenery and flora from all over the world.
The children also went on an educational trip to the Suzanne Mubarak museum for children, after which everyone visited the puppet theatre and enjoyed a charming performance especially for children. After all the activity the children visited the cultural garden, where they enjoyed relaxing for the rest of the day.
The month of Ramadan arrived in September this year, and with it came all the religious festivities associated with the month. The local mosque held several events for the children, as well as the Marriott Hotel Cairo. A large number of sponsors donated new clothes for the children to celebrate Eid at the end of Ramadan.
SOS Children’s Village Cairo also underwent maintenance operations this year. New motors were installed for pumping fresh water, to improve the water pressure in the family houses. One of the family houses was renovated by Marriott Hotel Cairo and the family moved into it. Another family has been moved from their family house while their house gets renovated.
It has been a very eventful year for the families in SOS Children’s Village Cairo. Thanks to your support and commitment, all the children at SOS Children’s Village Cairo are living a decent life amid a loving and caring family. Thank you for your constant consideration and assistance.
At last we wish you a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year
Best regards,
Soha Abdel Salam Hafez
Sponsorship Coordinator
Egypt
Child sponsorship update from Alexandria
It is December and the season of festivities is upon us, as this year the children from SOS Children’s Village Alexandria will be celebrating the Christmas and Muslim Eid Al-Adha holidays at the same time. The end of this year will be filled with joy for all the children, both Muslim and Christian.
This year was a very eventful year. There was a major event for Mariout businessmen in the Downtown Mall in Alexandria. Several SOS Children’s Village Alexandria co-workers attended this event and raised awareness about the role of SOS Children’s Villages and the nature of the work. This event was successful in increasing donations for the children and the SOS mothers.
There were also several similar events for petroleum companies which also aimed at raising awareness of the work of SOS Children’s Villages in Egypt. This was also a fruitful year in which the sponsors and donors provided so many generous donations in kind for the children and the family houses.
During the year 2007, the generous donations of the sponsors and donors included many of the requirements of the SOS Children’s Village. These include important electrical goods needed by the family houses, a new stove and oven, and a machine for spraying insecticide.
This year was also a year of new projects and additions to the SOS Children’s Village. A hall for embroidery and needlework was set up as a new activity to benefit the SOS mothers and children. A new library was also set up this year.
During the summer all the children and co-workers of SOS Children’s Village Alexandria went together on a trip to the seaside in Egypt’s North Coast, where there are some of Egypt’s most beautiful beaches. The children had a wonderful time during the five-day trip, with lots of fun and games by the sea.
The month of Ramadan is always a time for family gatherings and joyful celebrations. During the month the children from SOS Children’s Village Alexandria were invited to joyous gatherings where they enjoyed a delicious iftar meal and a special show for them. There were also numerous gatherings in SOS Children’s Village Alexandria where all the families gathered together to enjoy the iftar meal after a day of fasting.
Finally, thanks to your generous contributions and the contributions of all our sponsors and donors, all the children from SOS Children’s Village Alexandria will be able to enjoy the holidays. They will all receive new gifts and beautiful new clothes and will have the chance to play and celebrate.
At last we wish you a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year
Best regards,
Soha Abdel Salam Hafez
Sponsorship Coordinator
Relevant Countries: Egypt.