Sweet home,good nourishment and
fair chances in life are the rights of every child.
SOS Children’s Village is a private,independent,non governmental welfare
organization established to provide permanent home to orphan and abandoned
children. Children remain there until they become able to lead an independent
life. It was founded by Hermann Gmiener in Austria after world war 2. SOS
children’s village in Lahore was the first project to be established in pakistan.
Mrs Surraya Anwer is the founder of it. Government of Punjab donated 10 acres
site to the organization.
Mrs Almas Butt, Director SOS village Lahore, said,”we prevent children from
ending up alone or abandoned by helping families to stay together.we provide
education and healthcare to these children. We take children from age 1 year to
7 years. Children upto 7 years old cannot adjust with other children.They spoil
the environment because of their bad habits.
She told that they had training centres for the training of mothers. After two
months’ training mothers were appointed. They had twenty houses and each house
had 11 members. They had 130 children in that village ,87 girls and 43 boys.
Extra curricular activities are also organized in which children participate
enthusiastically. Annual cricket tournaments, bon fire,mothers’ day and reunions
are held.In December,ICI pakistan invited our children to the KHEWRA SALT
MINES,said mrs Butt.”
“ Lakson group has very generously volunteered to improve the village gardens
and plantations this year.Al Bario has always been very empathetic and has
replaced all the worn out UPS batteries with new ones. This is very helpful
during summers.COCA COLA ,Rotary Club and Unilever routinely conduct activities
that support SOS in its daily routine “she further added.
In the answer of a question Mrs Butt told that there were three weddings in the
first quarter of this year. All girls were well settled in their houses.
Mrs butt said” CM Shehbaz Sharif alloted us 4 canal site. He also donated a
water plant to the village. Punjab college gives free education to SOS Children
. while superior college gives 50% discount. Many public and private
universities have specified seats for Village children. Mr.aziz mamuji,mrs
Tahira Haque and mrs Rukhsana Rehman are supporter groups of SOS from abroad.”
Mrs Memoona,supervisor SOS children’s village Lahore,said” every house is
consisted of 3 bed rooms ,one drawing room one store room and one kitchen. One
mother is appointed for the nourishment of 10 children. We arrange Summer
Volunteer Program in which youngsters from different schools and colleges help
children in their studies.During summer holidays children visit their relatives
,other villages. Picnics sightseeing trips and outgoings are also arranged.”
At the last Sunday of every month children’s relatives come to meet them. Most
children don’t want to meet them. They have no feelings for them,said mrs
memoona.”
Accountant of SOS village Lahore Mr Mehmood Alam told that expenditure of every
house was 60,000.If a person wanted to sponsor a house he gave a cheque of
60,000 per month. Institute provided laptops and other needed technologies to
children. Many people sponsored children They provided all the facilities
according to their economic status. Cell phones were not allowed.Floor of the
village was renovated last year.mr shehbaz sharif funded for that purpose.
Khadija, a mother at SOS village ,said” children are the blessing of God. I love
them very much. I bring them up as my biological children. I try my best to care
them very well.”
Fatima , an SOS girl, said” I am here for the last 9 years . it is like my real
home. Mothers are very caring and loving, environment is good. I enjoy a lot
.sometimes I miss my mom who lives in kashmir. I lost my father in 2005
earthquake. My mother left me here for my better future.