P-8 & Back Cover
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-Cover & Back.ai file Open Size (w) 43.2 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-Cover & Back.ai file Close Size (w) 21.1 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
YEARS
A loving home for every child
YEARS
A loving home for every child
A note from the President
Dear Friends,
While our Family Based Care (FBC)
Institute
This year, we celebrate our 50th year of
programme
GuideStar, Give India, and the Credibility
giving children in need of care and
Villages consisting of SOS family homes
Alliance.
protection, a family, a home and a sense
with an SOS mother and brothers and
With this thought in mind, I, on behalf of
of security.
sisters primarily covers aspects such as
the entire SOS family, thank you for being
In this edition of SOS Messenger, we have
Education, Preventive and Curative Health
with us in our journey so far. 50 years
gone back to covering lives of our little
& Nutrition, Psychological support, Care
and counting, your continued support to
gems, the SOS children. When a child
and Holistic Development of a once
invest in our programmes will only
comes to an SOS Children’s Village, he is
orphaned
brought ‘home’ in every sense of the
community intervention programme, the
word. He enjoys a life quite similar to
Family Strengthening Programme (FSP),
yours and grows up in a secure, healthy
covers children of the most vulnerable lot
environment, eventually joining hands
i.e. children of widows, single women,
with the rest of the society as a
and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
contributing,
Spanning 3 to 5 years, the program aims
responsible
and
aware
through
child,
the
the
Children’s
preventive
individual.
to enable families to move out of the
Recent trends have shown us that more
vicious cycle of poverty towards greater
and more young people are coming
dignity and self-reliance by ensuring
forward and significantly contributing to
education
various noble causes in the development
generating capacity development of the
space. One such story that you will read
care givers.
about is that of Angad – a young boy aged
SOS Children’s Villages of India is also
only 15 years, who has involved himself
one of the very few International NGOs
heavily into philanthropic work from such a
that have been empaneled with and/or
young age.
accredited by the National CSR Hub, Tata
of
children
and
of
Social
Sciences,
the
We build Families
account for an immeasurable return in
terms of smiles on the faces of the
children we bring up.
I thank you once again and with warm
regards,
S.Sandilya
President
SOS Children’s Villages of India
income
DONATION FORM
MD142130N1
Or any-other amount you wish
any-other amount I wish
NOTE: You can claim your tax exemption via the donation reciept.
18001026905,
SOS MESSENGER
Cover
P-2
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P 2&3.ai file Open Size (w) 43.2 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P2&3.ai file Close Size (w) 21.1 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
YEARS
P-3
YEARS
A loving home for every child
A loving home for every child
50 Years of changing lives – A journey
beyond happy childhood
Nurturing generations
on end: The story of one
of the oldest SOS children
2014 marks the 50th anniversary for SOS
Children’s Villages of India. For each one of
us at the organization, every second of last
50 years makes us proud and confident to
reach out to more and more children in
need of care and protection in the country.
The first children’s village was set up in
SOS mother and it was my turn to do
all across India. In recent past, India has
Greenfields, Haryana in 1964 and since
so”, says a proud mother of three well –
witnessed persistent high levels of
then the organization has settled over four
educated
inflation, especially in the prices of basic
generations of SOS children who were
grandmother now.
commodities and services like food, fuel,
once
Today, Padma’s eldest son is working
transportation, education, etc. Also in
rendered
parentless
or
were
abandoned.
sons,
who’s
also
a
with Apollo Hospital in Delhi. Her
Today, I can vouch for the hard-work that
second
has gone into not only providing a loving
Engineering and the youngest one is
home for every parentless or abandoned
doing Civil Engineering.
child
“I am very lucky to have had an SOS
but
into
building
strong
and
supportive relationships between every
child and his SOS family, helping them
develop resilience and confidence to face
life’s challenges.
son
has
completed
view of the global economic recession,
his
Family who gave me everything; a family,
its values, education and prepared me to
face life’s struggles. Today, I am leading a
happy life with my loving husband &
Padma’s story is one remarkable example
children”, says Padma.
of the same. Padma came under the care
Padma loves to spend her time with her
of Ms Tarawati Sharma, the oldest mother
of SOS India, in the year 1970. She received
her education after getting enrolled in a
Government Girls School and growing up,
granddaughter and cannot help but get
nostalgic reminiscing of her days at
SOS under the loving care of her
mother Tarawati.
the pressure on us to become completely
self-reliant and raise funds for our
programmes has only increased over
time. These are tough times for us as an
Four generations of once
Padma is one of the oldest living
organization as well as for the caregivers,
parentless and abandoned children
examples of the ‘empowerment’ SOS
the SOS mothers and support staff to
or
of
sustainable. It is in this hour of need,
India has been creating in last five
ensure that quality of our work is not
abandonment are leading constructive
parentless children and children at
when our friends and supporters all
decades in the country. Thousands of
compromised at any cost. The money
lives today. They have an identity, a
risk of losing parental care is the
over the world are facing the financial
children have grown up in SOS family
that you would invest in the lives of once
family to call their own and most
reality we have created in the last five
crunch and with India emerging as a
homes and are now leading happy lives
parentless and abandoned children, will
importantly,
set
decades. And, this has been made
strong self-sustainable nation, the
and today, while we celebrate our
not only give them a second opportunity
examples for others to grow up to
possible by the continuous support
onus has fallen on us to cover our
Growing up in the SOS Children’s Village
Golden Jubilee, we thank you for
to grow in a caring environment, but also
become
of donors and friends like you who
costs and not compromise on the
environment inculcated in her a deep
supporting SOS children on a path to a
enable us to take care of all their needs
members of society.
have not only supported our cause,
quality care we have been providing
sense of love and belonging and she
brighter future.
for
and
SOS Children’s Villages of
but helped us financially as well as
all these years, even for a second. We
On behalf of the organization, I
development. For us, your donating is
India, as a leading child care NGO, has
emotionally.
take pride in taking up this challenge
equal to loving a child. - As told by Mr
not only grown by leaps and bounds
In 2014, the big challenge
and in this 50th year of transforming
Rakesh Jinsi, Secretary General, SOS
in the last 50 years of its existence,
that lies ahead of us is to make our
lives, we re-pose our faith in your
Children’s Villages of India.
but has continued to tread and toil on
programmes – Family Based Care
support. We believe in you.
she developed an inclination towards
teaching.
Eventually,
she
underwent
teachers’ training only to take up teaching
as a profession.
Padma got married to Mr RajKumar
Baroka, working with Indian Airlines, in
1986 and became a mother in 1987.
sacrificed her job for the sake of giving full
attention to her newborn son.
would love to tell you how important
“ I h a d t o l e a ve m y j o b . I a l w a y s
your role has been in helping us
remembered the sacrifices made by my
empower thousands of such Padmas
their
holistic
growth
children
on
a
active
the
life
verge
that
and
has
of
contributing
the path of looking after children in
(FBC)
need of care and protection.
Programme (FSP) – 100% financially
Nurturing
childhood
and
Family
Strengthening
join us on website www.soschildrensvillages.in
P-2
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P 2&3.ai file Open Size (w) 43.2 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P2&3.ai file Close Size (w) 21.1 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
YEARS
P-3
YEARS
A loving home for every child
A loving home for every child
50 Years of changing lives – A journey
beyond happy childhood
Nurturing generations
on end: The story of one
of the oldest SOS children
2014 marks the 50th anniversary for SOS
Children’s Villages of India. For each one of
us at the organization, every second of last
50 years makes us proud and confident to
reach out to more and more children in
need of care and protection in the country.
The first children’s village was set up in
SOS mother and it was my turn to do
all across India. In recent past, India has
Greenfields, Haryana in 1964 and since
so”, says a proud mother of three well –
witnessed persistent high levels of
then the organization has settled over four
educated
inflation, especially in the prices of basic
generations of SOS children who were
grandmother now.
commodities and services like food, fuel,
once
Today, Padma’s eldest son is working
transportation, education, etc. Also in
rendered
parentless
or
were
abandoned.
sons,
who’s
also
a
with Apollo Hospital in Delhi. Her
Today, I can vouch for the hard-work that
second
has gone into not only providing a loving
Engineering and the youngest one is
home for every parentless or abandoned
doing Civil Engineering.
child
“I am very lucky to have had an SOS
but
into
building
strong
and
supportive relationships between every
child and his SOS family, helping them
develop resilience and confidence to face
life’s challenges.
son
has
completed
view of the global economic recession,
his
Family who gave me everything; a family,
its values, education and prepared me to
face life’s struggles. Today, I am leading a
happy life with my loving husband &
Padma’s story is one remarkable example
children”, says Padma.
of the same. Padma came under the care
Padma loves to spend her time with her
of Ms Tarawati Sharma, the oldest mother
of SOS India, in the year 1970. She received
her education after getting enrolled in a
Government Girls School and growing up,
granddaughter and cannot help but get
nostalgic reminiscing of her days at
SOS under the loving care of her
mother Tarawati.
the pressure on us to become completely
self-reliant and raise funds for our
programmes has only increased over
time. These are tough times for us as an
Four generations of once
Padma is one of the oldest living
organization as well as for the caregivers,
parentless and abandoned children
examples of the ‘empowerment’ SOS
the SOS mothers and support staff to
or
of
sustainable. It is in this hour of need,
India has been creating in last five
ensure that quality of our work is not
abandonment are leading constructive
parentless children and children at
when our friends and supporters all
decades in the country. Thousands of
compromised at any cost. The money
lives today. They have an identity, a
risk of losing parental care is the
over the world are facing the financial
children have grown up in SOS family
that you would invest in the lives of once
family to call their own and most
reality we have created in the last five
crunch and with India emerging as a
homes and are now leading happy lives
parentless and abandoned children, will
importantly,
set
decades. And, this has been made
strong self-sustainable nation, the
and today, while we celebrate our
not only give them a second opportunity
examples for others to grow up to
possible by the continuous support
onus has fallen on us to cover our
Growing up in the SOS Children’s Village
Golden Jubilee, we thank you for
to grow in a caring environment, but also
become
of donors and friends like you who
costs and not compromise on the
environment inculcated in her a deep
supporting SOS children on a path to a
enable us to take care of all their needs
members of society.
have not only supported our cause,
quality care we have been providing
sense of love and belonging and she
brighter future.
for
and
SOS Children’s Villages of
but helped us financially as well as
all these years, even for a second. We
On behalf of the organization, I
development. For us, your donating is
India, as a leading child care NGO, has
emotionally.
take pride in taking up this challenge
equal to loving a child. - As told by Mr
not only grown by leaps and bounds
In 2014, the big challenge
and in this 50th year of transforming
Rakesh Jinsi, Secretary General, SOS
in the last 50 years of its existence,
that lies ahead of us is to make our
lives, we re-pose our faith in your
Children’s Villages of India.
but has continued to tread and toil on
programmes – Family Based Care
support. We believe in you.
she developed an inclination towards
teaching.
Eventually,
she
underwent
teachers’ training only to take up teaching
as a profession.
Padma got married to Mr RajKumar
Baroka, working with Indian Airlines, in
1986 and became a mother in 1987.
sacrificed her job for the sake of giving full
attention to her newborn son.
would love to tell you how important
“ I h a d t o l e a ve m y j o b . I a l w a y s
your role has been in helping us
remembered the sacrifices made by my
empower thousands of such Padmas
their
holistic
growth
children
on
a
active
the
life
verge
that
and
has
of
contributing
the path of looking after children in
(FBC)
need of care and protection.
Programme (FSP) – 100% financially
Nurturing
childhood
and
Family
Strengthening
join us on website www.soschildrensvillages.in
P-4
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P 4&5.ai file Open Size (w) 43.2 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P4&5.ai file Close Size (w) 21.1 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
YEARS
P-5
YEARS
A loving home for every child
A loving home for every child
Reintegrating SOS children into society
Post-graduation
1%
Others
6%
Certificate Course
14%
Graduation
1%
Professional Course
29%
Diploma
45%
Last one year has seen a plethora
22 of them having undergone
of positive developments at the
college
organization. Some of them you
completing their gradutation and
can see below. The total number of
post-gradutation courses. SOS
children under the Family Based
Children’s Villages of India not only
Care programme currently stands
focuses on improving the academic
at 6655 and last year, 183 out of
performance of SOS Children, but
them got first time employment
also encourages imparting of soft
after
completing
education,
161
of
education,
successfully
Identity. That is what SOS has
given to many such Gautams.
their
higher
skills, interpersonal and computer
Gautam is 6 years old and he has
them
having
skills for their hostile growth and
grown into a healthy, aware boy who
development.
is growing up in a loving environment
completed a vocational course and
with seven of his SOS brothers and
Academic Performance (based on the last academic year)
Class 10 Results
A tale of selfless love and motherhood: How Gautam
got back his identity
• 35% - Education
• 27% - Child’s family expenses
277(7%)
300
DID YOU KNOW?
• 22% - Health
250
200
Every day, an SOS child attains proper
education, eats healthy food, enjoys a
• 16% - Admin expenses
150
100
class 11th
voc./
certificate course
normal childhood and grows in caring
46(13%)
29(8%)
family environment.
6(2%)
50
0
Diploma
Under process
2. Reach out to us:
• For individual donations, contact
[email protected]
Class 12 Results
• For corporate donations, contact
Out of 225 children,196 graduated from Class 12,
progressing as follows:
• Follow us on Facebook –
50
www.facebook.com/sosindia,
40
7(4%)
6(2%)
10
0
YouTube –
voc./
certificate course
Diploma
Degree
(professional)
Simple
graduation
Under
process
Twitter – http://twitter.com/SOSVillageINDIA.
• Call us on our Toll Free: 1800 102 6905
Spread over six acres of land, this
Children’s Village was established in
1989 and is located at Hulimavu, near
'Meenakshi Temple' on the city's
day, at the hospital, I saw him
discussing about the blood cells with
one of the nurses. I was so surprised
and proud to see his confidence and
knowledge”, says his proud mother.
Gautam studies in 1st standard
very fond of animals and village pets.
Gautam’s SOS mother –
Thousands of once parentless or
“You know he is a very smart kid! One
and is a bright kid at school. He is also
outskirts.
The sort of kindness, self-esteem,
abandoned children are growing up in
Rohini, recounts her son’s story, “I was
loving family homes at SOS Children’s
overwhelmed with emotions when he
Villages spread across the length and
was brought home. I can never forget
breadth of India. Every family home
that
comprising
mother,
extremely weak when he had just
brothers and sisters is leading to the
arrived and I knew he would need all
Rohini’s sacrifices and caring nature
development of an SOS child with a
my care to help him become healthy
is symbolic of the change SOS mothers are
sense of belonging and a spirit of
again”.
bringing into thousands of once parentless
of
an
SOS
sharing.
www.youtube.com/user/SOSCVIndia, and
30
20
• For donation and sponsorship related
[email protected]
60(31%)
53(27%)
60
[email protected]
queries, contact
70(36%)
70
Today, his eyes show contentment, love
and stability.
1. How is your money spent?
Out of 398 children, 358 graduated from Class 10,
progressing as follows:
sisters.
day.
He
looked
frail
and
confidence and belongingness that
one gets to see in him at such a
tender age is only the result of his
mother’s selfless, endless love.
Rohini’s selfless love to take care
children’s lives. When a child loses parental
Gautam’s story will tell you how. As a
of Gautam during the initial days
care, he doesn’t merely lose food, clothing
six months old infant, Gautam was
helped Gautam to regain his strength
and shelter, but his sense of identity.
extremely
low
and immunity as an infant. In fact, he
Through our unique family based care, we
immunity when he was brought home
weak
and
had
was named Gautam after a naming
have tried and given back an identity to the
to SOS Children’s Village Bangalore.
ceremony at the village itself. Today,
children who’ve lost their families.
P-4
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P 4&5.ai file Open Size (w) 43.2 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P4&5.ai file Close Size (w) 21.1 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
YEARS
P-5
YEARS
A loving home for every child
A loving home for every child
Reintegrating SOS children into society
Post-graduation
1%
Others
6%
Certificate Course
14%
Graduation
1%
Professional Course
29%
Diploma
45%
Last one year has seen a plethora
22 of them having undergone
of positive developments at the
college
organization. Some of them you
completing their gradutation and
can see below. The total number of
post-gradutation courses. SOS
children under the Family Based
Children’s Villages of India not only
Care programme currently stands
focuses on improving the academic
at 6655 and last year, 183 out of
performance of SOS Children, but
them got first time employment
also encourages imparting of soft
after
completing
education,
161
of
education,
successfully
Identity. That is what SOS has
given to many such Gautams.
their
higher
skills, interpersonal and computer
Gautam is 6 years old and he has
them
having
skills for their hostile growth and
grown into a healthy, aware boy who
development.
is growing up in a loving environment
completed a vocational course and
with seven of his SOS brothers and
Academic Performance (based on the last academic year)
Class 10 Results
A tale of selfless love and motherhood: How Gautam
got back his identity
• 35% - Education
• 27% - Child’s family expenses
277(7%)
300
DID YOU KNOW?
• 22% - Health
250
200
Every day, an SOS child attains proper
education, eats healthy food, enjoys a
• 16% - Admin expenses
150
100
class 11th
voc./
certificate course
normal childhood and grows in caring
46(13%)
29(8%)
family environment.
6(2%)
50
0
Diploma
Under process
2. Reach out to us:
• For individual donations, contact
[email protected]
Class 12 Results
• For corporate donations, contact
Out of 225 children,196 graduated from Class 12,
progressing as follows:
• Follow us on Facebook –
50
www.facebook.com/sosindia,
40
7(4%)
6(2%)
10
0
YouTube –
voc./
certificate course
Diploma
Degree
(professional)
Simple
graduation
Under
process
Twitter – http://twitter.com/SOSVillageINDIA.
• Call us on our Toll Free: 1800 102 6905
Spread over six acres of land, this
Children’s Village was established in
1989 and is located at Hulimavu, near
'Meenakshi Temple' on the city's
day, at the hospital, I saw him
discussing about the blood cells with
one of the nurses. I was so surprised
and proud to see his confidence and
knowledge”, says his proud mother.
Gautam studies in 1st standard
very fond of animals and village pets.
Gautam’s SOS mother –
Thousands of once parentless or
“You know he is a very smart kid! One
and is a bright kid at school. He is also
outskirts.
The sort of kindness, self-esteem,
abandoned children are growing up in
Rohini, recounts her son’s story, “I was
loving family homes at SOS Children’s
overwhelmed with emotions when he
Villages spread across the length and
was brought home. I can never forget
breadth of India. Every family home
that
comprising
mother,
extremely weak when he had just
brothers and sisters is leading to the
arrived and I knew he would need all
Rohini’s sacrifices and caring nature
development of an SOS child with a
my care to help him become healthy
is symbolic of the change SOS mothers are
sense of belonging and a spirit of
again”.
bringing into thousands of once parentless
of
an
SOS
sharing.
www.youtube.com/user/SOSCVIndia, and
30
20
• For donation and sponsorship related
[email protected]
60(31%)
53(27%)
60
[email protected]
queries, contact
70(36%)
70
Today, his eyes show contentment, love
and stability.
1. How is your money spent?
Out of 398 children, 358 graduated from Class 10,
progressing as follows:
sisters.
day.
He
looked
frail
and
confidence and belongingness that
one gets to see in him at such a
tender age is only the result of his
mother’s selfless, endless love.
Rohini’s selfless love to take care
children’s lives. When a child loses parental
Gautam’s story will tell you how. As a
of Gautam during the initial days
care, he doesn’t merely lose food, clothing
six months old infant, Gautam was
helped Gautam to regain his strength
and shelter, but his sense of identity.
extremely
low
and immunity as an infant. In fact, he
Through our unique family based care, we
immunity when he was brought home
weak
and
had
was named Gautam after a naming
have tried and given back an identity to the
to SOS Children’s Village Bangalore.
ceremony at the village itself. Today,
children who’ve lost their families.
P-6
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P 6&7.ai file Open Size (w) 43.2 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
YEARS
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P6&7.ai file Close Size (w) 21.1 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
YEARS
A loving home for every child
A loving home for every child
SOS Children’s Village Chennai – A safe haven,
a home for SOS Children
Story of a young SOS friend
Village
village campus, which caters to the
established in the year 1979 to care
campus has a Primary School, Medical
educational needs of children in the
for children without parental care in
Centre,
&
village up to 5th standard and also a
Indian State of Tamil Nadu. The
Community Centre. The Campus also
few children under the SOS Family
Children’s
has
Vidya
Strengthening Programme (FSP) and
emergency relief to families affected
Ganapathi Temple which was built in
some from the economically weaker
by the 2004 tsunami and has always
1981 for the Village community as well
sections in the neighborhood. The
The
SOS Children's Village Chennai was
Village
provided
worked in close partnership with local
agencies
and
community-based
organizations in order to identify
families who are in need of support
from
P-7
our
family-strengthening
programme.
a
Children's
Tailoring
temple
Centre
called
Sri
as for the neighbourhood. There is
also a youth facility in the Children's
Villages
premises
which
houses
young boys.
school has a learning Centre with
computers and internet facilities, for
the school and village children.
The Indian Philanthropy Report 2013
by Bain & Company talks about how
young people in India significantly
influence
their
families’
charitable
giving and how the young donors
show higher potential than other age
groups to increase their contributions.
The same country, according to the
World Bank, stands at the 3rd position
in terms of the Purchasing Power
Parity, while the World Giving Index
supporting SOS Children’s Villages of
world.
and different for our society, but was
India?
indecisive as to what route I should
Angad: I was able to sponsor Shagun,
take. My parents and I felt it was futile
a girl living in SOS Children’s Village
to merely donate gifts or money to the
Bawana for the next two years. When I
ing in raising funds for various noble
poor, and tried to think of alternative
moved to New Delhi last year, being
causes in the development space. Thus
ways which would, in some way,
new here meant that such an endeav-
the need to have younger people to
employ my skills and enterprise. As
our seemed difficult. As I made friends
come forward and contribute to socie-
previously mentioned, I like to sing, and
at school and outside, and felt settled,
ty is becoming more and more impera-
most parties see me singing something
the concept of Art4Education evolved
tive.
at someone’s behest. So, I came up
in my mind - a group of socially
And, there are some who have realized
with this idea of recording CDs with
conscious, talented teenagers dedi-
covers of famous songs and give them
cated to giving back to society’s
uting towards a cause as noble as that
to people I knew for a nominal sum,
underprivileged, through their own
of SOS Children’s Villages of India,
raising money for charity. I took the
efforts and talents. It took some effort
raising funds for once parentless and
help of one of the local radio stations’
and time but I managed to convince
abandoned children now living in SOS
recording facilities and then burnt
my friends to join this endeavour. I
villages across India.
discs at home, labelling them as, “My
collected photography, art and digital
Voice, My Choice”, featuring songs in
art from all my teammates, and got
Hindi, English, Punjabi and French. I
them reprinted and framed. Catalogue
and banners were made, and we put
this need at a very young age, contrib-
We bring to you a conversation with
child and the directors of Social
Welfare department referred her to
SOS Children’s Villages of India. SOS
as the youngest member of the family
Mother Ms Gracy took Merin in her lap
home. Merin grew up under the loving
SOS: That’s wonderful, Angad! So,
day, I felt like doing something special
so, in coming forward and participat-
abandoned as an unwanted female
mind?
out of the list of 153 countries in the
themselves back from giving and more
was only 10 days old. She was found
doubtful middle step.
how have you contributed towards
Gmeiner School situated inside the
Children’s Village Chennai when she
contributing to society came to your
Angad: Three years ago on my birth-
It tells us that people simply hold
Merin was brought home to SOS
the money themselves, eliminating the
(WGI) ranks her at the 134th position
There is also an SOS Hermann
Merin’s Story:
SOS: So, how did the thought of
care of Ms Gracy and today, she is
Angad Srivastava – a 15 year old living
studying in 5th standard in SOS
Hermann Gmeiner School Chennai.
Merin has four younger brothers and
sisters and has four elder sisters to
take care of her. She is also a bright
student in her school and loves to
learn martial arts in her free time.
Merin is growing happily in SOS
Children’s Village Chennai and is
growing up to become an aware,
contributing member of society.
in Delhi and an ardent supporter of
sold about 50 copies.
SOS Children’s Villages of India.
Then began the task to look for a suita-
up our stalls as a well-knit team, at two
SOS: Tell us about yourself, Angad?
ble organization to donate to. As most
exhibitions in late 2013.
people know, a lot of NGOs today are
Our
just fronts and the money is usually
resounding success! We collected
pocketed. This is why SOS Children’s
` 31,200/- which we then donated to
Villages appealed to me, because
SOS Children’s Villages of India, to
instead of giving money to others to
sponsor the living and education of
implement reforms, they actually use
two underprivileged children.
Angad: I am a 15-year-old student, an
amateur photographer, a graphics
designer, a blogger and a techie
currently living in New Delhi. I also
enjoy singing, cooking, philosophizing,
gaming, watching movies and reading.
maiden
venture
met
with
join us on website www.soschildrensvillages.in
P-6
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P 6&7.ai file Open Size (w) 43.2 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
YEARS
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-P6&7.ai file Close Size (w) 21.1 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
YEARS
A loving home for every child
A loving home for every child
SOS Children’s Village Chennai – A safe haven,
a home for SOS Children
Story of a young SOS friend
Village
village campus, which caters to the
established in the year 1979 to care
campus has a Primary School, Medical
educational needs of children in the
for children without parental care in
Centre,
&
village up to 5th standard and also a
Indian State of Tamil Nadu. The
Community Centre. The Campus also
few children under the SOS Family
Children’s
has
Vidya
Strengthening Programme (FSP) and
emergency relief to families affected
Ganapathi Temple which was built in
some from the economically weaker
by the 2004 tsunami and has always
1981 for the Village community as well
sections in the neighborhood. The
The
SOS Children's Village Chennai was
Village
provided
worked in close partnership with local
agencies
and
community-based
organizations in order to identify
families who are in need of support
from
P-7
our
family-strengthening
programme.
a
Children's
Tailoring
temple
Centre
called
Sri
as for the neighbourhood. There is
also a youth facility in the Children's
Villages
premises
which
houses
young boys.
school has a learning Centre with
computers and internet facilities, for
the school and village children.
The Indian Philanthropy Report 2013
by Bain & Company talks about how
young people in India significantly
influence
their
families’
charitable
giving and how the young donors
show higher potential than other age
groups to increase their contributions.
The same country, according to the
World Bank, stands at the 3rd position
in terms of the Purchasing Power
Parity, while the World Giving Index
supporting SOS Children’s Villages of
world.
and different for our society, but was
India?
indecisive as to what route I should
Angad: I was able to sponsor Shagun,
take. My parents and I felt it was futile
a girl living in SOS Children’s Village
to merely donate gifts or money to the
Bawana for the next two years. When I
ing in raising funds for various noble
poor, and tried to think of alternative
moved to New Delhi last year, being
causes in the development space. Thus
ways which would, in some way,
new here meant that such an endeav-
the need to have younger people to
employ my skills and enterprise. As
our seemed difficult. As I made friends
come forward and contribute to socie-
previously mentioned, I like to sing, and
at school and outside, and felt settled,
ty is becoming more and more impera-
most parties see me singing something
the concept of Art4Education evolved
tive.
at someone’s behest. So, I came up
in my mind - a group of socially
And, there are some who have realized
with this idea of recording CDs with
conscious, talented teenagers dedi-
covers of famous songs and give them
cated to giving back to society’s
uting towards a cause as noble as that
to people I knew for a nominal sum,
underprivileged, through their own
of SOS Children’s Villages of India,
raising money for charity. I took the
efforts and talents. It took some effort
raising funds for once parentless and
help of one of the local radio stations’
and time but I managed to convince
abandoned children now living in SOS
recording facilities and then burnt
my friends to join this endeavour. I
villages across India.
discs at home, labelling them as, “My
collected photography, art and digital
Voice, My Choice”, featuring songs in
art from all my teammates, and got
Hindi, English, Punjabi and French. I
them reprinted and framed. Catalogue
and banners were made, and we put
this need at a very young age, contrib-
We bring to you a conversation with
child and the directors of Social
Welfare department referred her to
SOS Children’s Villages of India. SOS
as the youngest member of the family
Mother Ms Gracy took Merin in her lap
home. Merin grew up under the loving
SOS: That’s wonderful, Angad! So,
day, I felt like doing something special
so, in coming forward and participat-
abandoned as an unwanted female
mind?
out of the list of 153 countries in the
themselves back from giving and more
was only 10 days old. She was found
doubtful middle step.
how have you contributed towards
Gmeiner School situated inside the
Children’s Village Chennai when she
contributing to society came to your
Angad: Three years ago on my birth-
It tells us that people simply hold
Merin was brought home to SOS
the money themselves, eliminating the
(WGI) ranks her at the 134th position
There is also an SOS Hermann
Merin’s Story:
SOS: So, how did the thought of
care of Ms Gracy and today, she is
Angad Srivastava – a 15 year old living
studying in 5th standard in SOS
Hermann Gmeiner School Chennai.
Merin has four younger brothers and
sisters and has four elder sisters to
take care of her. She is also a bright
student in her school and loves to
learn martial arts in her free time.
Merin is growing happily in SOS
Children’s Village Chennai and is
growing up to become an aware,
contributing member of society.
in Delhi and an ardent supporter of
sold about 50 copies.
SOS Children’s Villages of India.
Then began the task to look for a suita-
up our stalls as a well-knit team, at two
SOS: Tell us about yourself, Angad?
ble organization to donate to. As most
exhibitions in late 2013.
people know, a lot of NGOs today are
Our
just fronts and the money is usually
resounding success! We collected
pocketed. This is why SOS Children’s
` 31,200/- which we then donated to
Villages appealed to me, because
SOS Children’s Villages of India, to
instead of giving money to others to
sponsor the living and education of
implement reforms, they actually use
two underprivileged children.
Angad: I am a 15-year-old student, an
amateur photographer, a graphics
designer, a blogger and a techie
currently living in New Delhi. I also
enjoy singing, cooking, philosophizing,
gaming, watching movies and reading.
maiden
venture
met
with
join us on website www.soschildrensvillages.in
P-8 & Back Cover
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-Cover & Back.ai file Open Size (w) 43.2 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
SOS Brochures April-2014-DM-Cover & Back.ai file Close Size (w) 21.1 cm x (h) 27.9 cm 07.04.2014 (Sandy)
YEARS
A loving home for every child
YEARS
A loving home for every child
A note from the President
Dear Friends,
While our Family Based Care (FBC)
Institute
This year, we celebrate our 50th year of
programme
GuideStar, Give India, and the Credibility
giving children in need of care and
Villages consisting of SOS family homes
Alliance.
protection, a family, a home and a sense
with an SOS mother and brothers and
With this thought in mind, I, on behalf of
of security.
sisters primarily covers aspects such as
the entire SOS family, thank you for being
In this edition of SOS Messenger, we have
Education, Preventive and Curative Health
with us in our journey so far. 50 years
gone back to covering lives of our little
& Nutrition, Psychological support, Care
and counting, your continued support to
gems, the SOS children. When a child
and Holistic Development of a once
invest in our programmes will only
comes to an SOS Children’s Village, he is
orphaned
brought ‘home’ in every sense of the
community intervention programme, the
word. He enjoys a life quite similar to
Family Strengthening Programme (FSP),
yours and grows up in a secure, healthy
covers children of the most vulnerable lot
environment, eventually joining hands
i.e. children of widows, single women,
with the rest of the society as a
and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families.
contributing,
Spanning 3 to 5 years, the program aims
responsible
and
aware
through
child,
the
the
Children’s
preventive
individual.
to enable families to move out of the
Recent trends have shown us that more
vicious cycle of poverty towards greater
and more young people are coming
dignity and self-reliance by ensuring
forward and significantly contributing to
education
various noble causes in the development
generating capacity development of the
space. One such story that you will read
care givers.
about is that of Angad – a young boy aged
SOS Children’s Villages of India is also
only 15 years, who has involved himself
one of the very few International NGOs
heavily into philanthropic work from such a
that have been empaneled with and/or
young age.
accredited by the National CSR Hub, Tata
of
children
and
of
Social
Sciences,
the
We build Families
account for an immeasurable return in
terms of smiles on the faces of the
children we bring up.
I thank you once again and with warm
regards,
S.Sandilya
President
SOS Children’s Villages of India
income
DONATION FORM
MD142130N1
Or any-other amount you wish
any-other amount I wish
NOTE: You can claim your tax exemption via the donation reciept.
18001026905,
SOS MESSENGER
Cover