SOS Children in Northern Cyprus
Cyprus is traditionally known as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. However its recent history is of a divided island. Since 1974, Cyprus has been a country divided between the Greek-Cypriot community in the south, supported by the Greek government in Athens, and the Turkish-Cypriot community in the north, supported by the Turkish government. The hope of expanding membership of the European Union with an invitation to both Cyprus and Turkey to become members of EU has not resulted in a resolution of the dispute between the two communities.
SOS Children began discussions with representatives of Northern Cyprus in 1989. There was no clear policy on child care and the SOS Children method has provided a model for the reform of child care. The only SOS Children’s projects on the island are in the capital, Nicosia, known locally as Lefkosa to the Turks and Lefkosia to the Greeks. Nicosia is the only divided capital city in the world.
The first project to open was the nursery school in September 1993. This has four classrooms and two group rooms and has 110 children from the local community. The SOS Children’s village itself opened in December 1993. There are 11 family houses, which are home for nearly 80 children. In 2007 SOS Children in Cyprus began a Family Strengthening Programme that supports 100 vulnerable children and their families with the aim of preventing abandonment.
Local contact
SOS Children’s Villages in Cyprus
PO Box 532, Via Mersin 10, Lefkosa, Northern Cyprus
Tel +90/392/22504318, +90/392/2252026 e-mail: sosidare@superonline.com
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