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Since the agreement between the South Asia Foundation (SAF) and SOS-Kinderdorf International in 2003, 2 girls and 2 boys from Pakistani villages, have participated in the different SAF-SOS Environment Camps, Malpotha (Sri Lanka), Bagenhart (Bangladesh.
For these youngsters to interact with others from neighboring regions including Bhutan (where there is no SOS Village), it’s a unique and great experience. They are exposed to a rural life style and environmental issues while at the same time fostering friendship in a cooperative spirit. On that count the camps have succeeded admirably. They have provided them the experience of working on the land while realizing the benefits of protecting nature.
Above all they have developed close ties with each other as they have worked and played together, have learned from each other how to cook different South Asian recipes and had fun singing and dancing together as they have exchanged information regarding their respective cultures. As agriculture is the main subsistence for over eighty per cent of the people in South Asia, the camps make the participants aware of how its enormous economic potential could be harnessed by acquiring professional skills for gainful employment.
The 4th SAF-SOS camp is scheduled to be held August 10th - 21st year in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Report from SOS Pakistan
Children from SOS Pakistan have participated in two SAF & SOS Environmental Camps. The first camp was held at SOS Vocational (Agricultural) Training Centre and Youth Facility Bagerhat, Sri Lanka in August 2003.
Four of our youths attended. Zahir Ali Shah and Mehnaz Gul came from SOS Dhodial. Shah Zeb and Nadia Zafar came from Lahore.
The second camp was held from December 6th to 16th December 2004 at SOS Children's Village International in Dhaka Bangladesh. The four participants were Lubna Yousaf and Muzammil Ali from SOS Karachi, and Kashif Noor and Seemab from SOS Lahore. | |
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President Souriya Anwar with SAF Founder Madanjeet Singh. |
All of our children came back from these camps with wonderful stories of their experiences. These camps not only enriched their lives while they attended the camps, but also left them with a lifetime of memories, which they eagerly share with their SOS brothers and sisters.It is noticeable to all who love and care for these eight special children that they have grown as individuals and their outlook on life has changed for the better.
Allowing youths to experience other cultures and new environments enables them to open their minds to new things and realize that there is a vast world out there for them to explore. We at SOS Pakistan thank the SAF and Mr. Madanjeet Singh for the privileged opportunity for our children to share this wonderful experience with youths from other SAARC countries.
We look forward to the third Environmental Camp and happily wait to send four new youths to join their peers as distinguished members of this selected group of participants. |
