Boys and girls of different ages grow up together as siblings. Biological siblings are never separated when they come to the village, which means that larger groups of siblings can stay together when this is not always possible at other state-run agencies. Children up to the age of ten are taken into the village, but an exception is made if some members of a group of siblings are over the age of ten.

(Photo in SOS archives)

The sibling relationship does not end when a child is old enough to leave the village and live independently. They are always welcome back to visit their family, and often, their younger brothers and sisters visit them wherever they are living.

At SOS Children's Villages, we are determined to recreate the family environment as much as possible, as we believe it is the foundation of childhood. Brothers and sisters learn that while they may not always be biologically related, the love they receive from their SOS Mother and other family members is great enough to unite them all as a family.

Watch and share a short video about keeping siblings together.