November Round Up

The month of November came up with the festival of lights and the most special occasion for us Indians.  Our children across the nation were even happier to celebrate this auspicious occasion this year as it fell on the same day as Children’s Day. All the villages made sure that children enjoyed this day. Several activities were organized and the day was made fun. Apart from this, many other activities were also conducted for the development of our children and communities. 

Celebration of National Homemakers Day

On 3rd November, National homemaker day was celebrated in SOS Children’s Village Tirupati for the mothers who keep our households running by their hard work and sacrifices towards the SOS family house. The day was devoted to appreciate our SOS mothers who do all work in homes including cooking, buying groceries, taking care of children and manage their personal works on a daily basis. In order to appreciate mother’s commitment, co-workers decided to arrange evening refreshment and make them feel relaxed.

Children celebrate a fun filled Diwali with H&M employees

H&M India has been a longstanding supporter of SOS Children’s Villages of India and has always thought of different & unique ways of engaging with the children. Before celebrating Diwali with their respective families, H&M went on to celebrate the festival with their extended family at SOS through a fun-filled day for our children at our Greenfields village in Faridabad. The children eased into the festive spirit by engaging in different craft activities like Diya painting, Greeting card making & Lantern making. Ensuring social distancing, the children learnt, played & enjoyed this day to the fullest. We are very thankful to H&M India for making this festive season #BrighterThanEver for the children!

SOS E-Tarang celebrations 2020

SOS Children’s Villages of India was delighted to host its annual cultural festival – SOS Tarang virtually this year due to the ongoing pandemic. A range of nail-biting competitions, an exclusive talent showcase, and many other incredible events were held and streamed live on 26th November. A series of inter-zone activities and performances ranging from dance to music were also uploaded on various social media platforms. On the final day winners were bestowed with a token of appreciation.

SOS Tirupati supports children who can’t access education

320 million and counting that’s the number of children impacted by COVID-19 in India according to UNESCO. Although online classes have started but there are millions of children who don’t have accesses to computers smartphone or even internet and electricity at home. To battle this fight, SOS India started tuition support programmes for the underprivileged children to bridge the gap of online classes. The tuition centers are functioning in closed school verandas and other open spaces in the community, in small groups following all COVID prevention protocols supported by volunteers and tutors appointed by SOS. The tuition centers also work as an umbrella against child labor, child marriages and a forum to educate children Covid prevention and child rights. Foreseeing the recession and economic crisis emerging form Covid situation SOS also supporting families of these children with additional livelihood options to ensure the child care is not interrupted by the economic crisis.

Children’s Day celebration at SOS Bangalore

At SOS Bangalore, Children’s Day 2020 was celebrated with fun and participatory activities, which was facilitated by the team from Hindustan Scouts and Guide, headed by State chairman Dr. Afshad Ahmed and National Organizing Commissioner Mr. K S Chauhan along-with the Team members. Total 65 children participated in the group activities. The team was divided into two groups from age 6-10 and 11 and above. Hindustan Scouts team briefed the children about how the activities were planned the activities started with clapping’s Team-taught the children various types of clippings like welcome clap, rocket clap, special clap. Team briefed the children that there are 100 types of clapping’s. Further, a ground cleaning activity was conducted in which children participated and cleaned the common area and basketball court. Than the team was divided into 6 groups and they were given concentration activity, three winners were awarded for the concentration activity, the winners are Eshwari, Shrusti and Ashwin.

Awareness raised during Child Safety Week

Child Safety Week was aimed to raise awareness and encourage collective action towards addressing the issue of Child Sexual Abuse. This year 14th Nov to 20th Nov was marked to do the event. On 18th Nov 2020, SOS Children’s Village Puducherry organised the event in association with Child Line Puducherry. The Village Director welcomed the Chief Guest & explained the importance of the event to SOS mother and children. The awareness programme conducted through drawing & speech competition respectively, “My Happy World & Safe Childhood, Safe Diwali”. Mr. Asokan, Director- Dept of Women & Child- Govt. of. Puducherry participated as a Chief Guest for the event. The children’s were presented their speech on Safe Childhood, Safe Diwali in front of Mr. Asokan. Ms. Jinifer, Co-ordinator, Child Line, has given speech on types of child abuse & how we need to be preparing ourselves from the risks. End of the event, the Chief Guest given prizes to the winners & certificate to the all the participants.

NAZ Foundation tie up with SOS Bangalore for a fun and fitness event

NAZ foundation, working towards physical health of children in various NGOs and government schools, implemented their Young People’s Initiative (YPI) programme in SOS Bangalore on 23/11/2020. 30 of our girls aged between 12 and 17 years participated actively in their first session. There were two trainers who conducted a very interactive talk for the girls. They introduced the concept of ‘Saathi’; a volunteer is made the Saathi (friend) for the day. Girls can share their feelings with this friend. Saathi’s role is to listen to them and keep everything confidential. This programme has 10 sessions of fitness activities combined with life skill classes. The sessions will be on effective communication, leadership, wants and needs, menstruation, hygiene, cyber violence, peer pressure and so on.

One-day Police Station In charge (Station House In charge) Girl Child from SOS Varanasi

On the Occasion of International Child rights day, one of our child Jhanvi age 15 years studying in class X from HGS Varanasi, been nominated for one day police station in charge of Chobubeypur Police Station. SHO Mr. Sanjay Tripati, invited our child towards taking charge of the police station for one day with respect of International child rights day, were Jhanvi reported police station and taken charge from SHO for one day. SHO Mr. Sanjay Tripati, welcomed Ms. Jhanvi and made a full visit of police station, the camera room, the complaint room, the file room, Jail, office staff building, the sized vehicles and shown the register of the complaint registered for the year 2020, later on he introduced all the police staffs in the station and offered with tea and snacks. During that time, one missing child case came to police station, Mr Sanjay Tripati, handed over the case of Ms Jhanvi (The case is, the girl of 15 years old, ran away from her home and been traced by child line and handed over to police officials, police officials traced the parents of the child and called the parents to come with proper identity and take back their child). Ms Jhanvi, talked with the girl, came to know about the reason for running away from her home, checked the documents of the parents, explained the present scenario of safety of girl child and handed over the child to Parents, the police officials appreciated Jhanvi towards the style of handling the case.  Later, Ms Jhanvi was accompanied in Police Jeep towards making inspection and surprise visit towards analyzing the safety and security measures made in Ghat towards the eve of Chat Pooja Celebration, were Ms Jhanvi checked the Public Address system is working or not, lights are placed enough around the Ghat, proper checking been done, maintaining social distancing by public been inspected by Jhanvi and came back to Police station. Police Officials given her royal solute and as a token of love presented a photo frame on behalf of Choubepur Police station and officials. Jhanvi said her dream is to became a IPS officer, today she has achieved half of the dream, which is now her motivating factor towards achieving her goal and dream.