On October 10th, the Department of Psychology, St. Teresa’s College (Autonomous), Ernakulam organized an industrial visit to SOS Village, Aluva for the final year B.Sc Psychology students as part of the Value Added Course on Social Entrepreneurship offered in association with Saintgits Insitute of Management, Kottayam. 54 students of the batch and one faculty member were accompanied by the team from Saintgits Insitute of Management, Kottayam.
The students and faculty reached SOS Village by 11.00 a.m.. The first session was taken by Sr.Councilor, Joshine Mathew who introduced SOS Village to the students and spoke about its vision, mission, and guiding principles. SOS Children’s Village in Aluva established in the year 1990 nurtures abandoned children who are put in a house with a caretaker or “Amma” to help the children feel the warmth of familial relations where they grow up with 6-7 other kids. After 10-12 years, boys and girls are separated into different houses. After attaining 18 years, boys are shifted to the youth hostel. Presently, the village nurtures over 150 children, who are looked after by loving SOS Mothers and SOS Aunts. The village witnesses a variety of programs that are organized for children, mothers, and other co-workers. Festivals of both national and international importance are celebrated with great enthusiasm in the village, where everyone gathers together and enjoys merrymaking. To promote team spirit, excursions, and picnics are also organized for children and their family members; this serves as a time for children to bond well with their family members.
The visit helped the students understand better social entrepreneurship models focused on social causes and in this case one which is committed to creating a safe environment for children where they can grow up happily, and have access to education and opportunities for a secure future.