The 50 years of the establishment of SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh was celebrated on Saturday. For a long time, this organisation has been working with the aim of ensuring that parentless children can grow up safely in a family environment. National Director of the organization Md Enamul Haque expressed his commitment to continue this work, in the event organized on the occasion of its 50th anniversary celebration, 2022 at a city hotel. In the ceremony, Planning Minister awarded "SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh Community Champion Award" to 9 prominent citizens of Bangladesh for their significant contribution to the positive change of the society. The recipients are PHP Group Chairman Alhaj Sufi Mizanur Rahman, Actress Ajmeri Haque Bandhan, Prominent philanthropist Begum Majeda Ali, Microbiologist Senjuti Saha, President of AFDB Mantasha Ahmed, Managing Director of Ahmed Food Minhaj Ahmed, Selector of National cricket team Kazi Habibul Bashar, Founder of the Ritu Health and Wellbeing Foundation Sharmin Kabir and Vice Chancellor of Rajshahi University Professor Golam Sabbir Sattar.
Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, MP Speaker of the National Parliament was present as the chief guest where Planning Minister M. A. Mannan, MP was present as special guest at the event. Director General of NGO Affairs Bureau, K. M. Tariqul Islam and Md. Mahbubur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Bangladesh were also present at the occasion. Dr. Md. Enamul Haque, National Director of SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh made the opening speech.
Chief Guest Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, In her speech said, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working tirelessly for the welfare of children. But establishing a humane world for children requires government initiatives as well as private philanthropic organizations and private cooperation. She hoped that various private institutions will come forward for great work like the welfare of children. The success of SOS Village is that the children of Shishupolli are able to reach their suitable fields with skills and confidence, Speaker said. Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury thanked the mothers of the organization for providing comprehensive services to the children.
National Director of SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh. Md. Enamul Haque said, SOS Children's Village started its journey in Bangladesh in 1972 to ensure the protection of children who lost their families after the liberation war. Since then, it has been providing quality alternative care to Parentless and at-risk children for over 50 years. Apart from this, SOS also works to increase the capacity of families so that children do not get separated from their families due to poverty or any other reason. All our programs are guided by the United Nations Charter on the Rights of the Child and the Alternative Care Guidelines. Children's best interests are the first consideration when determining alternative care options and child protection is ensured.
“Pride of SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh Award" were also given to Eight care leavers who grew up in alternative family-like care of SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh. All of them are well-established in their respective fields in the society and are engaged in the professions of Teacher, Doctor, Nurse, other professionals etc.
Members of SOS Children’s Villages, invited guests and officials of the National Parliament Secretariat and members from different media were present.
It may mention here that, the formal journey of SOS Children's Villages Bangladesh started in 1972 to ensure the protection of children who lost their families after the war of liberation. Since then, this organization has been taking responsibility for children who are parentless, separated from their families and at risk of being deprived of parental care, helping them to become self-reliant in the society by providing them with family environment and motherly love upbringing and education and modern training.
