Children getting family based care at SOS Children’s Village are learning to speak English, thanks to the English Language Association of North Cyprus (ELA).
Every Tuesday morning, a group of children aged between six and 11, are being taught English by teacher Figen Rasmussen.
Using an alternative technique which takes children outside of the class environment, the ELA team have been holding the free sessions since February at the “Merak Odası” (Curiosity Room) at SOS Children’s Village in Lefkoşa.
SOS Children’s Village Programme Manager Ahmet Akarsu presented a certificate of appreciation to ELA founders Tom and Billie Roche, and to Ms Rasmussen, last month.
Expressing is gratitude, Mr Akarsu said:
“The ELA is providing a crucial service to the children getting care under our programmes.”
“Many of the children need extra help in English. Language is an important asset, which they can carry into adult life.”
He added: “We hope this invaluable support will continue”.
SOS Children’s Village is currently providing family based care for 59 children at the Lefkoşa headquarters, and 47 young people at the Girne Youth Facility and Semi-independent programme.
There is a further 145 children and 59 families getting health, education, material and psycho-social support from the Prevention of Child Abandonment & Family Strengthening Project, which is partly funded by the European Union and implemented by SOS Children’s Village.
Further projects are in the pipeline, which aim to reach more children at risk of abuse and neglect in Northern Cyprus, details of which will soon be announced.
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