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SOS Children’s Villages Nepal for the first time organized online 28th General Assembly via Microsoft Teams on 12th November, 2020 for the safety concern amid COVID-19. The programme was chaired by Dr. Jyoti Ratna Dhakhwa, President of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal and Ms. Shubha Murthi, Deputy Chief Operation Officer, SOS Children’s Villages International graced the program as Chief Guest.
Addressing the programme, Dr. Dhakhwa, highlighted on the importance of mental and emotional wellbeing of the children, young people, caregivers and families of Family Strengthening programme that can arise from the spread of COVID-19. He further elaborated on the programme that provided support to the care leavers and the families of family strengthening programme after the spread of COVID-19. He focused on the re-employability of the young people, organizational advancement, enhancement of systems and processes; and fundraising.
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Addressing the assembly, Ms. Murthi appreciated the work of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal for implementing the mental health and psychological support to the children, young people, caregivers and families of the Family Strengthening programme. She also showed her concern and challenges of making the young people self-reliant during this unprecedented time of COVID-19. As the crisis unfolded, many people have lost their jobs, while the needs are increasing. In this difficult circumstance, she shared SOS Children’s Villages International will be supporting the countries who are battling with the COVID-19 to help the most vulnerable families so that children can receive quality care.
Likewise, Mr. Ishwori Prasad Sharma, General Secretary SOS Children’s Villages Nepal presented Annual Report 2019 and highlighted on the achievements, challenges, plans of 2020 and priorities 2021 of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal.
Mr. Bidyanath Bhurtel presented the audit report 2019, . The Assembly also approved amendment of the Statute of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal that was purposed by Mr. Sanu Bhai Khadka, member of the board.
After the floor was open, the General Assembly members put forward their opinions and perspective for comments and questions. Dr. Dhakhwa responded the queries.
The 28th Assembly also welcomed the new members Mr. Gauri Pradha, Child Rights Activities, Dr. Nawaraj K.C. Pediatrician and Ms. Brinda Parajuli, Pharmacist in the worldwide SOS Family. Similarly, the Assembly also bid farewell to Mr. Kiran Vaidya, Vice-President and General Assembly members Mr. Ramesh Kumar Sharma and Ms. Meera Singh. The Assembly extended sincere gratitude for their commitment and unrelenting support to the children in need. Likewise, this year SOS Children’s Villages Nepal lost Prof. Ganesh Raj Singh, renowned educationist, philanthropist, researcher and practitioner. He was one of the founding members of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal. The 28th Assembly remembered him for his dedication and commitment for the children and young people who have lost parental care or are in the verge of losing parental care.
Closing the programme, Dr. Rita Singh Hamal, member of the board expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Assembly members for the gracious presence and active participation. She thanked the Child Club members, youth participants and everyone present in the Assembly.
The General Assembly, which was supposed to be held in July was postponed by the board of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Rajneesh Jain, Children’s Villages International representatives, Deputy National Directors of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal, Project Directors, Villages Directors, Programmes Heads, Child Club members, youth participants were virtually present in the Assembly.