Children sponsorship letter from Manila
15/01/2008
An update from early 2007 from the SOS Children's Village Manila
Dear Friend,
Greetings!
To start the year, the Pedagogical Team and the Youth Home Staff embarked from January 17 to 20 review and realignment of on-going activities to the current Child and Youth Care Program. For other significant events in January, thirty-five (35) of our children and staff were treated out to a wonderful experience last January 21 in the magical live show “Peter Pan” courtesy of Children’s Hour. CV Manila was also featured in GMA 7’s TV program “Mel and Joey” through an interview with Mama Lilibeth Abella of family house 4.
For March, the children, youths, mothers, aunts and co-workers of SOS Manila participated in the successful implementation of a major Fundraising event of the National Office entitled “Hope In Motion: Fun Run and Fun Walk”. Also, the Rotaract Club of Manila sponsored the “Nourish the Children Program” through Vita Meal feeding and Deworming Program for our children on March 17 and 24.
Towards the end of March, the Mothers, Village Director and Pedagogical Staff attended the various graduation rites of our children and youths. There were two high school and two elementary students who graduated at the University of Perpetual Help Rizal DALTA System of Las Piñas; four elementary students who graduated from Blessed Trinity School (BTS); four who graduated in elementary and three in high school at Mary Immaculate Parish Special School; one youth girl graduated with a degree in Medical Technology at Feati University and one high school student at Potrero National High School. Meanwhile, one youth boy graduated from PATTS in a two-year technical course in Avionics.
For other activities, three youth boys and one youth girl joined the Youth for Christ Camp in Bicol from April 12-14. Part of their activities was to help build houses for indigent communities in support of the Gawad Kalinga Program of the Couple’s for Christ. Similarly, ten of our youth leaders participated in the Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF) Alabang’s Youth Summer Camp entitled “Evolve” which was held from April 21-23 at the Rizal Re-Creation Center in San Pablo, Laguna.
On the evening of April 27, a meeting was held between the incoming college students accompanied by their respective mothers with the Screening Committee composed by the Pedagogical staff, the Administrative Assistant and Youth Staff. The purpose of the said meeting was to assess the eligibility of the incoming college students to pursue college or vocational courses.
At the end of the month, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of SOS Children’s Villages in the Philippines.
This has been a good start of the year 2007 and we indeed accomplished in bringing fun and life to our celebrations. We thank you, our dear sponsors, for all you have shared. From all the children, mothers and co-workers, our sincerest gratitude and best wishes to you and your family!
Very truly yours,
Aleah B. Ortiz
Sponsorship and Communication
Sponsor's update from Cebu
Update from Summer 2007 from the SOS Children's Village Cebu
Dear Friend,
Good day!
The year started with the transfer of four (4) boys to the Youth Village. Prior to the formal transfer, these youths were prepared for their eventual transfer by orienting them on the different stages of development and by requiring them to sleep at the Youth Village every weekend. This is in order for them to build rapport, bonding and camaraderie with their older brothers in the Youth Village. The turn-over ceremony was well attended by the entire SOS Cebu family with each SOS mother imparting words of wisdom, encouragement and values-laden messages to the four young men. In response, each young man acknowledged the wishes of their “Nanays”.
During the graduation season last March and April, there were 16 graduates in all: 11 in Elementary/Primary Education, 3 High School/Secondary Education and 2 in College (with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Cebu and another one finished Mechanical Technology). What made it special was the fact that there were lots of our students who did well this school year. One of our high school graduates came from the University of San Carlos Boys High (a premier exclusive school for boys in the city) and was among the top ten of the graduating students; our elementary students placed first, third, sixth while others were among the top 10 students in their respective classes.
For summer, some fifty (50) children enjoyed the weeklong summer camp in Oslob that had about 1,000 children-participants under the umbrella organisation of the Cebu City Task Force on Street Children headed by the First Lady of Cebu Mrs. Margot Osmeña. Meanwhile the other children and young people who were left in the Village were very busy rehearsing for a fund-raising musical show “Bridging Lives Dinner for a Cause”. Local sponsors and guests were invited to watch a mini-concert performed by our children while sharing a sumptuous dinner. It was a joyous evening, watching everybody enjoying the celebration.
May was also the month of the much awaited national elections and our young people actively exercised their right during the last election for Senatorial, gubernatorial and mayoral posts. All of them voted according to their conscience with guided evaluation of the qualifications of each candidate. Their candidates for the mayoral and council slate emerged victorious with a big margin over the other candidates. On the other hand, this year’s sports festival was the first of its kind considering that everybodyMothers, Coworkers, Aunts, children and young people participated actively in all the games. The culmination of the activity was done at the beach that doubled as the family outing.
Values formation sessions, regular meetings and conferences, follow-up in school and other day-to-day activities for the first semester of the year kept us on our toes and brought us deep satisfaction in serving the needs of the children and young people under our care. You may not be here but the stewardship that you bestowed on us through your generous contribution and ever growing concern, inspire us to do our best for these children. Our dear friend, thank you for everything.
Sincerely yours,
Danilo Latonio
Project Director
Child sponsorship update letter from Davao
Update from the SOS Children's Village Davao, Summer 2007
Dear Friend,
Greetings of love and joy from your SOS Children’s Village Davao family!
We started the year with a spiritual enhancement and sharing activity last January 5. The Village Director Mr. Luis Seras facilitated a meeting for the PEDA/Care Management Team and the SOS Inner Circle group.
In celebration of the month of hearts, 14 SOS mothers were given a post valentine gift by the children and youth last February 17. In line also with valentine celebrations, a dinner-for-a-cause dubbed “Barbecue Fiesta” was held in the Village ground. The event was graced by honorable government officials and other visitors. Local TV networks covered the whole event including the musical presentations of the children.
For March, 21 graduated for the school year 2006-2007: nine in pre-school, seven in elementary, three in high school and one in college. Jennifer graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics. Also for March, selected children took part in varied activities spearheaded by the city government in celebration of the “70th Araw Ng Dabaw”. To date, a total of 34 children and youth were evaluated and were given intervention plan as result of the care conferences.
Moreover, we conducted an annual summer camp involving 51 children and seven youths held in the Youth Village last April 16 to 20. Themed “Unity in Diversity - One in Spirit”, the camp geared on both socio-cultural and spiritual encounter with the children. As a culmination activity, the participants had a whole day swimming at the Villa Christina Resort in a nearby town. On the other hand, as an observance of the Holy Week, the whole SOS Davao community participated in the Way of the Cross at the Dominican Chapel. The Lenten season was culminated with an egg hunting activity in the village.
Also, the Hermann Gmeiner Social Center for Mother and Child had a mall exhibit from April 21 to May 12. Despite the busy schedule, the head spearheaded a skills training activities for Hermann Gmeiner scholars on beadworks for elementary pupils, candy making for high school students and basic baking for college students.
On Mothers’ Day, a simple program was held at the Mary’s Garden for all SOS Mothers last May 13. The Pedagogical team helped the youth leaders in the preparation for the said activity. The mothers were teary-eyed when their children presented their gifts and gave speeches on why they truly love their SOS Mothers.
This has been a fruitful start of the year for our family. We indeed accomplished in bringing fun and life to our celebrations. We thank you, our dear sponsors, for all you have shared. From all the children, mothers and co-workers, thank you very much for your continuing support!
Very truly yours,
Aleah B. Ortiz
Sponsorship and
Communication
Sponsor's update from Tacloban
Update from the SOS Children's Village Tacloban, Summer 2007
Dear Friend,
A warm greeting from SOS Children’s Village Tacloban family! The first half of 2007 has gone with meaningful celebrations and activities in the Village. We are pleased to impart to you some family events we had the past months.
At the start of the year, SOS Tacloban celebrated SOS Sponsors’ Day, which gave our children the opportunity to meet their local godparents who came and brought gifts. The activity was highlighted with a Thanksgiving Mass and a short program with the presence of the members of the Board and local sponsors.
Moreover, February 8 and 14 was the usual Valentine’s Party for our teenagers, Mothers, Aunts and Co-workers. Everybody enjoyed and had fun. During this month was the Career Guidance Development, which aimed to provide our children an opportunity to experience the world of employment and to give them a chance to understand it.
Much more, March was the Graduation of our children and youths. Four children graduated from kindergarten, eight from elementary, ten from high school and two from college. To recognize their achievements and encourage other children to improve their academics, the staff organized a recognition program and gave tokens.
April 28, 2007 was the 1st SOS Tacloban Fun Ride with the theme “Fun Ride; Fund Drive for an SOS Child”. It was participated by 139 Bikers (composed of different bike groups coming from Leyte and Samar). The activity aimed to promote SOS to the community, win SOS friends and develop in them the value of sports and raise funds. Short program was held in the village with raffle draw and some special awards given to some bikers.
Summer Sports Festival was also held with competitions in cheer dance, ball games, indoor games, and parlor games, participated by the three groups composed of mothers, aunts, co-workers, children and youths. Next, a program highlighting singing, token-giving and dancing was rendered by the children in honor of their mothers, and an exclusive beach party was conducted by the mothers themselves in order to celebrate Mothers’ Day. Then, Santa Cruzan, which was started on May 1, was culminated on the 30th with simple snacks after the prayer and participation in the Parish procession on the 31st. Lastly, the yearly family outing was held at Glorites Beach Resort, Brgy. San Antonio, Basey Samar.
Simply recounting these events and happenings in the village with our children and youths are joy and gratitude in itself. Because you, by your generous concern and support, have made these possible for them and for us! Thank you very much for your continuing support!
With warm wishes and best regards,
Oscar Garol
Village Director
Relevant Countries: Philippines.