2012 June 23

26th SOS International Day was celebrated to honor and cherish the memory of our Founding Father, Prof. Dr. Hermann Gmeiner whose birthday falls on June 23rd. The preparation of 26th SOS Day was started from 18th June with various activities that were conducted and shouldered by SOS Child Club Members Pokhara along with village mothers, aunts and co-workers.

VARIOUS ACTIVITIES FOR VILLAGE CHILDREN - (18 June - 22 June 2012)
Indoor and outdoor games were organized for the children of ages ranging from 4 to 15 with village mothers and aunts.
HERMANN GMEINER CAKE FOOTBALL MATCH – (June 22, 2012)
Hermann Gmeiner Cake Football match was organized between SOS Hermann Gmeiner School Pokhara and SOS Hermann Gmeiner School Gandaki involving children of grade V and below. Hermann Gmeiner Cake was cut by both team's captain and distributed among all the players along with the juice served by teachers of SOS Hermann Gmeiner School junior section.
SOS DAY MAIN FUNCTION (June 23, 2012)
The three projects of SOS Children's Village Pokhara, the Chief Guest Mr. Sonam Sangpo, President of Local Tibetan Assembly along with other special invitees from Tibetan Community gathered at village at 9: 30 in the morning.  Everybody enjoyed balloon bursting played by the Kindergarten kids of stage II and III.
Formal function was commenced at 10:00 O’clock in the morning and the program was being initiated by MC Mr. Tseten Drakpa, Teacher of SOS Hermann Gmeiner School Pokhara.
The Program began with prostrations and offering "Khatag" (a silk scarf offered on both auspicious and inauspicious occasions, either as a symbol of good wishes, greetings, gratitude, receiving VIPs or bidding farewell) to the portrait of H.H. the Dalai Lama and Prof. Dr. Hermann Gmeiner.
After the offering was made, everyone was served sweet rice, mixed with dry fruits and Tibetan butter tea. Serving of such items further accentuated the importance of the day by adding cheer and mirth among all those present.
The Village Director, Mr. Lobsang Gyaltsen, welcomed all the distinguish guests, followed by co-workers and the children. He gave brief but incisive background about SOS Movement by highlighting the biography of late Pro. Dr. Hermann Gmeiner, the gathering followed by the speeches of mother's representative, Village child and the youths. The chief guest Mr. Sonam Sangpo, President of Local Tibetan Assembly expressed the importance of making the optimum use of the 'opportunities' provided by the SOS and to remain ever grateful to the blessing of H.H. the Dalai Lama and Dr. Hermann Gmeiner and SOS KDI who have high hopes and expectations.
Everyone had enjoyed the cultural items performed by village children and youths followed by Academic Prizes distribution of Year 2011 – 2012.                                                                                          
SOS Hermann Gmeiner School Principal, Mr Gyatso Tsering concluded with thanking all the participants for their supports during SOS Day Celebration. Children enjoyed few rounds of Tambola (Housie) organized by integrated youths of this village working at SOS Pokhara Facilities. The winners were given knick-knacks as prizes
BLOOD DONATION – (June 24, 2012)
On the same day, blood donation campaign was organized at SOS Children's Village Gandaki. Few of the Village students contributed their blood donation as their sense of service to humanity and vision of helping others shown by beloved Founding Father Late Prof. Dr. Hermann Gmeiner.