About UsWorld Orphan Week is the annual fundraising event of SOS Children's Villages, and by 'wearing something WOW' this February, you'll be helping us to reach out to even more orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children. Even just a small donation can have a big impact on children who have no one else to care for them. Find out more about the work we do around the world... |
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SOS Children is the world's largest orphan charity that:
Around the world, SOS Children supports over 1 million children and adults in our goal to ensure children have a family for life. |
What we do
A village
Each SOS Children’s Village has on average 15 - 20 family homes.
SOS mothers
Each home has a caring parent who gives the children the love, support and guidance they need.
Brothers and sisters
Each family house provides a home for up to 10 children and natural brothers and sisters are never separated.
An education
SOS Children gives every child the education and skills they need to shape their own future.
Community Programmes
SOS Children’s schools, medical and social centres support the development of local communities.
Vocational training schemes
These schemes provide new skills and qualifications to help the surrounding communities develop.
Family strengthening programmes
Needy families in the local community are offered support to prevent child abandonment.
Emergency relief
In times of war, famine or disaster, we are quick to provide emergency assistance to the most vulnerable and continue to support communities in the long-term.
Who we help
SOS Children tries to reach some of the planet's most vulnerable children - orphans, child-headed households, child soldiers, street children. Regardless of race, colour or religion, we treat all children as individuals and try to give them the essentials they need in order to grow up happy and healthy.
Tatyana's story
Tatyana was abandoned as a baby and, having been taken into one of Belarus’ large orphanages, spent the first eight months of her life in the same cot. All she did was lie in bed, eat and sleep. Unable to move, she made no facial expressions, showed no emotions, no signs of life. The only attention she received was from the staff at the orphanage when they came to feed her.
Fortunately for Tatyana, she was brought to SOS Children’s Village Marina Gorka, where SOS mother Tamara is now her mum. Tamara spent countless hours with Tatyana, trying to bring her out of her shell and eventually the baby started to smile and interact with her new mother and the other children in her SOS family. We hope that Tatyana will not suffer any long-term effects from her early traumatic experiences, however one thing she will always have is the love and security of Tamara, her ‘real’ mum.
Take part in 'wear something WOW'
Only with help from supporters like you, can we keep reaching out to vulnerable children around the world, so join us this World Orphan Week and 'wear something WOW'!
You can find out all you need to know about taking part in the campaign on our How to WOW page.