Shillong, May 15: The Family Strengthening Programme, SOS Children’s Village Shillong celebrated International Day of Families on the 15th May 2017 at its campus. The Chief Guest for the occasion Dr. D.D. Lapang, Ex Chief Minister, and currently MLA of Nongpoh constituency and Chief Adviser to the Govt. of Meghalaya graced the occasion.
The participation of families and their children from FSP Locations Umktieh, Mynsain, Pynthor and Mawlyndep made the programme even more lively. The programmes were a mixture of song, dance and skit specific to the Theme: “Families, education and well-being”presentation from Self Help Groups(SHGs) of Umktieh, Mynsain, Pynthor and Mawlyndep and cultural programme by Children from Pynthor.
The program was attended by Ms. JJ Kylla, CWC Chairman, Ri-Bhoi, officials from District Social Welfare Office, DCPU office, Head Man and members of Village Committee of Pyllun, Pynthor, Umkteh, Mawlendep and UmktehPdeng village of Ri-Bhoi. Apart from these members of several Print and Electronic media were also witnessed the program.
With a presence of over a decade, we have spread outside the village campus with FSP, reaching out to the vulnerable populations of the neighborhoods. Started in 2008, FSP at Shillong serves as a preventive measure against the desertion and social neglect of children.
Women play an important role in uplifting their family. With limited employment opportunities, they often work as farm labour, domestic help or daily wage earners. Additionally, women earn fewer wages than their male counterparts. Through FSP Shillong, we empower women caregivers to take care of their children and keep their families together.
At SOS Shillong, they believe that a society progresses with strong families. Developmental concerns of the beneficiary families include socio-economic factors, such as, the family income and interpersonal cohesion. These factors—if influenced positively—can help transform a family’s situation for the better, leading it towards self-sustainability.
FSP Shillong strives to make each family independent, through different forms of support, such as the education and nutrition of children, capacity building of caregivers and income generation activities of the caregivers. This is done through Self Help Groups, a powerful tool for change.
They were able to care for 289 children in 72 families at programme inception. Today, through FSP Shillong, we have extended support to 439 children and 116 families from vulnerable clusters. These families were exposed to the six cornerstones of the programme, Livelihood enhancement, Capacity building of the caregivers, Health and nutrition status of the children, Educational and vocational course support of children,Women Self Help Groups and Bal Panchayats and Children parliaments.
SHG’s are encouraged to take up ‘Group Livelihood Activities’ to ensure that they continue to run efficiently. This year, one group has taken up block making, and another one, the making of tent houses. They will continue to encourage SHGs to organize capacity building programmes, as they have a lasting impact on the community.
