Children studying together at the SOS Children's Village Kankan, Guinea…
In Guinea, like in many other countries, the family strengthening programme changes lives. A mother and one of her daughters speak about their experiences and share their regained hope.
- Lisa
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Children studying together at the SOS Children's Village Kankan, Guinea
In Guinea, like in many other countries, the family strengthening programme changes lives. A mother and one of her daughters speak about their experiences and share their regained hope.
Martine, a 40-year-old mother of five lives in a village very close to N'Zérékoré in Guinea. She lost her husband in 2000 and her unstable source of income was not enough to meet her children's needs. Many times she had to borrow money to be able to buy food. All the little money she could make was spent on food, nothing was left for education. A hard life to cope with... Until the day the community referred her to the family strengthening programme in N'Zérékoré.
Since 2006, the family has received the support of the programme and has seen a real improvement in their living conditions. Martine's previous concern on how to cope with her family's everyday life is almost gone and she thanks God for the helping hand she received from the family strengthening programme. "The programme is like a husband to me, as it helps me with supporting my children and make sure they have a good future!", she says to everyone.
"In addition to the nutritional, health and educational support the programme gives our family, it has also opened my eyes, thanks to the training I received, and helps me considering carefully before doing anything! With the family strengthening programme, I really regained hope and am convinced that I'll be able to care for my children by myself one day!", Martine adds.
Her 16-year-old daughter is as much satisfied as her mother to have such a support. She is particularly happy to see that her mother has regained hope and is now more optimistic. "When my father died seven years ago, I joined my mother after class to work in the field in order to get something to feed the family. It was hard, and the difficult situation contributed to my failure in school. In 2002, I failed to enter the 3rd grade of primary school", the girl explains.
"But since early 2006, when the team of the family strengthening programme enrolled our family on the programme, luck has been on our side! We are starting a new life and I am really grateful for the services we receive", Martine's daughter adds.
- Mary
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A child at nursery school Juah Town, Sierra Leone
SOS Children's Villages Sierra Leone says 'goodbye' to a committed and professional employee going on retirement.
Principal of SOS nursery Freetown leaves after 27 years of service
"I will definitely miss the noise and crying coming from the nursery children, especially on the first day of school." Eunice Sandy has accomplished a lot since she joined SOS Children's Villages Sierra Leone in 1979. On 3 February 2007, parents, colleagues, friends and all the SOS nursery and SOS School children thanked her for her commitment by organising her a farewell party in the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School premises in Freetown.
"Nobody can work for 27 years in an organisation if he or she is not dedicated and committed to his or her job. Eunice Sandy actually enjoyed all what she was doing. She started working for SOS when I was a boy growing up in the SOS Children's Village Freetown. It is remarkable she 'survived' all the odds throughout her 27 years of service," expressed Mr Olatungie Woode, national director of SOS Children's Villages Sierra Leone and former SOS child.
In his tribute to Eunice Sandy, Olatungie Woode noted that the outgoing SOS nursery principal started with twelve children, to leave 27 years later with 490 children enrolled. "She sure is leaving with mixed feelings and should be satisfied to have contributed positively towards the development of education in Sierra Leone, he added. Not only has she devoted herself in making the SOS nursery in Freetown what it is today, but Eunice Sandy's leadership and professionalism also benefited many other Kindergarten schools. She trained many other nursery teachers in the region.
And Eunice Sandy's performances are not only recognised internally. "She has worked so hard to uplift the standards of the SOS nursery, which is now one of the pacesetters in pre-school education in Sierra Leone," added Dr Steven Kargbo, chairman of the Community Teachers Association, "that she really deserves a befitting farewell ceremony!"
And indeed, the party was very cheerful and full of emotion! Children from the SOS nursery, the SOS School, the SOS Children's Village and the SOS Home for the Physically Challenged all contributed to thank Ms Sandy with songs. And in addition to all farewell gifts Eunice Sandy received from the children and her colleagues, she received a certificate of honour from Mrs Victoria Conte, one of the board members of SOS Children's Villages Sierra Leone, rewarding her for her 27 years of dedicated work.
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