Aiding over 1 million people, SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the long-term care of orphaned and abandoned children, providing them with families and stable homes. Usually when a child enters an SOS Village, all other care options have been exhausted for that child. In addition to providing children with families and homes, SOS works in communities, strengthening families to prevent child abandonment. SOS also provides emergency relief at times of war or natural disaster.
The SOS Children's Villages mission is:
- To build families for children in need
- To help children shape their own futures
- To share in the development of communities
By presenting children with a family and a community support system, SOS Children’s Villages intends to fill the voids of abandoned and orphaned children around the world as much as possible.
Every village is founded on 4 distinct principles:
- Each child needs a mother
- Each child grows up most naturally with brothers and sisters
- Each child grows up in their own house
- Each child grows up within a supportive village environment
The Village provides the background for an extended family community. This gives the children cultural roots, identity, and a sense of belonging. Growing up in an SOS Village, children receive clothing, meals, medical care and a high-quality education. To date, there are over 540 SOS Children's Villages in 133 countries. A village is comprised of 10-15 family houses that are each home to 7-10 children and an SOS Mother. To see where our Villages are located, please visit the Where We Help section.
The USA office of SOS Children’s Villages International is known as SOS Children’s Villages – USA. The office is located in Washington, D.C., and is responsible for promoting and supporting the worldwide program of SOS Children’s Villages International. To request a speaker for an event, an interview, or permission to use photos or video, please fill out the request form.