Sponsor's update letter from Keila
26/09/2008
Update from Summer 2008
Dear sponsor
The sun is shining again, the weather is becoming warmer -summer is approaching. Only a few last efforts in school and soon the summer holidays are here. This summer, SOS Children’s Village celebrates its 13th birthday. Time is passing fast: it was not long ago when 10 candles were decorating our birthday cake, now three more candles have added and there will be more in the future But until then, let’s take a short overview of what we have done during the last half year.
In January 2008, our young people and teachers of Tallinn Youth Facility started joint volleyball trainings with the office employees of SOS Children’s Village Association of Estonia. The trainings take place once a week in Tallinn under the supervision of the Tallinn Youth Facility leader who has been a volleyball coach in the past. Thus, a nice project has been started.
In the beginning of April, children went to a traditional canoe journey. Early in the morning, a quite a long bus ride began. Upon arrival, the participants had breakfast and started the journey in canoes. By the evening of the first day, 22 kilometres had been left behind and the children were quite tired. On the next day, the journey continued. Children have always liked canoe journeys, therefore, like in previous years they just cannot wait for the next time!
This spring, the Children’s Village participated with a team of 15 members, under the supervision of our psychologist in the all-Estonian cleaning campaign “Teeme ära 2008!” (“Let’s Do It 2008!”). Under the campaign, tens of thousands of voluntaries gathered to clean the roadsides and woods from illegal waste. Our children team cleaned in a small garden-city near the Children’s Village. It was a positive and instructive day. At the end of the day, all children promised to not litter anymore.
Dancing with the Stars
In the beginning of May, already for the second time, the employees of Deloitte company came to set together hedge plants in our Children’s Village. On a warm and sunny day, 300 plants and a lot of spring flowers were planted on the territory of Children’s Village. Afterwards, football was played and sausages cooked on the fire! It was a day full of positive emotions that both the children and our guests enjoyed.
As the show 'Dancing With The Stars' is very popular in Estonia, a dance couple from this show was invited to visit the children on a warm spring day. A famous Estonian politician Kristiina Ojuland and a professional ballroom dancer Aleksander Makarov taught to children some dances. Children learned rumba and waltz under the two super teachers. For many young boys and girls, these were their first ballroom dance steps.
In May, the sports day in athletics of Estonian children and youth homes took place for the fourth time in Viljandi. Ten children homes from all over Estonia took part. The team of Keila SOS Children’s Village has always been represented and has reached good results. This year, the second place was achieved in total.
In the end of May, an Estonian Football Club Nõmme with two guest players from Brazil visited our Children’s Village. Coach Fredo Getulio Aurelio and the players of the representative team came to play football with our children on our football ground.
As you see, we have had a busy time. Of course, there is everyday routine between these wonderful events, which might not be always sunny and joyful, but it is always good to know that we have friends and supporters, and this makes overcoming difficulties much easier! Thank you, friends!
Margus Oro
National Director
Relevant Countries: Estonia.