Ladimirevci

Country information

SOS-Kinderdorf International began its work in Croatia on 10 September 1992 with the laying of the corner-stone of the first Croatian SOS Children's Village in Lekenik, near Zagreb. Already in January 1993, the first SOS mothers with their children moved into three family houses, the official inauguration took place on 8 October 1993. On the occasion of this ceremony, the corner stone of the SOS Social Centre and the SOS-Kindergarten was laid. The construction of the second Croatian SOS Children's Village Ladimirevci started in September 1994 and was completed in May 1995. In June 1995, the new SOS Children's Village was put in operation. Since 1996 several SOS Youth Facilities were set up in Zagreb and Osijek. The most recent SOS facility in Croatia, the SOS-Kindergarten Vukovar, was opened on 4 November 1999 and offers additional care for the children of this city. The second SOS Children's Village in Croatia was inaugurated in 1995 in the village of Ladimirevci which has a population of 1800. Ladimirevci is situated in Slavonia, in the eastern part of Croatia. There are two bigger towns in the region, namely Volpovo and Osijek. The SOS Children's Village can be reached via the motorway from Zagreb to Osijek. The population of Ladimirevci is mainly working in agriculture or in the food- and paper industries. The standard of living is slightly lower than in Western Europe. The family houses of the SOS Children's Village were built in the typical style of Slavonia, they are lined up along a 'main street'. A multipurpose hall and a playground were added. The children attend the newly built elementary school of the village, whereby SOS-Kinderdorf International financed the establishment of 4 classrooms and the sports hall. Secondary schools and a clinic are located in Valpovo. The nearest hospital is in the provincial capital of Osijek. The SOS Children's Village Ladimirevci was especially built for those children who have been exposed to the horrors of war from a very young age.