July 23 2020

First lady of Nepal visits SOS Children’s Village Sanothimi

The First Lady of Nepal Ms. Radhika Shakya visited SOS Children’s Villages Nepal on 19th July, 2020 and observed the activities of children at SOS Children’s Village in Sanothimi. She showed the concern about the efforts that SOS Nepal has been making for the health and safety of the children and young people under its care during this adverse situation of COVID-19.    

Mr. Ishwori Prasad Sharma, National Director of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal welcomed the team.  He reflected on the objective, vision and mission of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal. He also highlighted about the organizations’ structure, work area and programmes including the Family Strengthening Programme which has been successful to prevent family breakdown and ensure the children’s rights to care, health and education. 

First lady, to her interest and engagement in social work especially to underprivileged children; was interested to know about SOS Children’s Villages and its work. Influencing from the organization, she became the first high profile sponsor of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal and said that she would also urge the Prime Minister to be the generous sponsor of SOS Children’s Villages Nepal.   

During her visit, the first lady was keen to meet with an SOS family. She explored SOS Children’s Village Sanothimi, the first Children’s Villages in Nepal and interacted with the children and their SOS mother. Mr. Khagendra Nepal, Project Director of SOS Children’s Village Sanothimi accompanied the team and briefed about SOS family’s setup, the role of SOS mothers and aunts, how it is shaped, its daily work and about the overall project. He also explained about the safety measures that SOS Children’s Villages Nepal is currently adhering to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.  

She appreciated the work that SOS Children’s Villages Nepal is doing for the children who have lost parental care or who are in the verge of losing parental care. Apart from this, she has promised to make a request with the Government of Nepal to support SOS Children’s Villages Nepal. In the meantime, she was curious   to know the alternative ways to provide suitable alternative care to the children living in vulnerable condition.  

The team consisted of four dignitaries from government including Mr. Deepak Niraula, Constitution Assembly member of Bagmati province. He was keen to know how SOS Nepal and Bagmati Province can work on sharing resources and expertise for supporting vulnerable children and in the capacity building of the caregivers from Childcare Homes.