The concept

The first SOS Children's Village was built by in 1949 in Austria, to meet the needs of children who had lost their families and their homes as a result of the Second World War. Every village is different...Bangui in the Central African Republic - Photo: C. M'bad Ben-Seba SOS Children's Villages pioneered a family approach to the long-term care of orphaned and abandoned children. The concept is based on four principles: a mother, brothers and sisters, a house and a village. Every child has an SOS mother who is a substitute for his or her natural parents. She lives with the children she looks after and is personally responsible for her family's daily life. As well as giving the children a safe home, she establishes a permanent relationship with them as their main carer. SOS Children's Village mothers are usually single women who have to complete an extensive training programme. They are supported by a village director and educational staff, as well as women who are still training to be SOS Children's Village mothers. Girls and boys of different ages grow up together in an SOS Children's Village family like brothers and sisters. Natural brothers and sisters are not separated. Children are accepted from small babies until the age of ten, unless they have brothers and sisters, in which case they could be older. Every family has a house of its own. Having their own home encourages bonding within the families and is important in giving the children a sense of security and a feeling of belonging. An SOS Children's Village has between ten and fifteen family houses. The village provides the background for an extended family community. It gives the children cultural roots and a sense of identity and is also an important bridge to the local community. But building the future of a child is more than just building a house. Particular emphasis is placed on giving children a thorough preparation for an independent future, to open opportunities for employment and to integrate them into their local community. SOS schools, vocational training centres and youth facilities provide this vital support. ...but the concept behind it is the same: Mussoorie in India - Photo: H. Soegaard Community aid facilities and programmes aim to improve living conditions for local families on a long-term basis. The SOS social centres, kindergartens, medical centres and schools are not only used by children and young people from the SOS Children's Village, but are also there for the general public. The emphasis is on providing a basic medical service and further education for the long-term improvement of social conditions. SOS Children's Villages also helps during times of crisis with rapid and unbureaucratic emergency relief programmes, aimed especially at helping children, women and families.