Dalai Lama

“The splendid work done by SOS Children Villages is charity where deeds speak louder than words.”

The Dalai Lama lives in Indian exile, but his personal commitment has led to the construction of a number of Tibetan SOS Children's Village facilities. The relationship between SOS Children's Villages founder Hermann Gmeiner and the Dalai Lama grew into friendship, which has been continued by current SOS-Kinderdorf International President Helmut Kutin.

Angelina Jolie

“We have seen first-hand the remarkable job SOS does to raise orphaned and abandoned children and keep families together.” "No one 'ages out' of an SOS Village: vocational training, advanced education, living assistance and moral support are there forever."

Angelina Jolie has long been familiar with SOS and its humanitarian work throughout the world. She visited an SOS Village in Amman, Jordan in 2003 and brought much joy and happiness to the Village. After returning from her journey, Jolie made a generous donation towards the living costs of an SOS family in Amman.

Nelson Mandela

"SOS Children's Villages provides the foundation for life to children who need a place to call home."

Mandela, former president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1993, was a prominent supporter of building an SOS Children's Village in Umtata, in the Eastern Cape Province. Early in 2001 Umtata opened as the sixth SOS Children's Village in South Africa.

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard

“It’s a privilege for Peter and myself to join hands with Esprit and promote the remarkable work of SOS Children’s Villages, which for the past sixty years has continued to provide children worldwide; love, security and a nurturing environment that only a family can provide.”

Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard actively engage in human rights and anti-poverty initiatives. Their involvement with SOS stems from their concern for India’s homeless children and their admiration for what SOS has accomplished.