A part, not apart

Photo: A. Gabriel An SOS Children's Village is part of the local community, the children from both learning and playing together. SOS children attend local schools wherever possible. If these are non-existent or inadequate, then SOS Children's Villages builds schools which are open to children from the local community as well. This is also the case with SOS Kindergartens and SOS Vocational Training Centres. In times of crisis, SOS Children's Villages are always ready to help their neighbours. Distributing food after the earthquake in Algeria and providing shelter and medical care for refugees from the fighting in Liberia are just two recent examples of how SOS Children's Villages respond to emergencies. The SOS community doesn't only help its neighbours in times of need; it also invites them to join in their celebrations. At carnival time or sports events, the villages are crowded with local people joining in the festivities. An active part is also taken in the social and cultural life of the neighbourhood, with support given to activities outside the SOS Children's Village, such as sports and youth clubs.