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| Children reading in an SOS Village in Côte d’Ivoire. Photo by Catherine Flore Ngo Biyack |
February 11, 2011: Since opening its first SOS Children’s Village in Africa, in Côte d’Ivoire in 1971, SOS has managed despite great odds to give hope to hundreds of thousands of abandoned children. Through its multiple Children’s Villages and programs in 45 African countries, today SOS is supporting 620,000 children and young people born on a continent that faces continuous challenges.
Political instability, poverty, war, and disease—especially HIV/AIDS—define the landscape of many African nations in which SOS raises children and works to strengthen families.
In order to reach even more children, SOS and its local partners require a stable, functioning political, economic, and social framework. Improved child welfare also requires politically binding measures that will ensure the protection of children in line with the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. The degree to which individual countries, in Africa and elsewhere, hew to these measures will help determine whether millions of children will be protected and given real prospects for a productive life.
Yet, the situation in Somalia gives no cause for hope, and the way ahead for countries like Zimbabwe, Côte d'Ivoire, Tunisia, and Sudan is impossible to predict. The fate of children hangs on a delicate political balance in some places, as do relief and aid options for SOS.
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| Children on a playground at SOS in Namibia. Photo by Brenda Dimbleby |
The Priorities of SOS in the Face of Challenges
Africa’s vulnerable children are up against a complex set of problems. The AIDS pandemic and the fraying of the traditional family system in urbanizing societies have produced huge numbers of unaccompanied children. The demand for quality alternative care models for children who cannot grow up in their biological families is high.
Below are some of SOS’s priorities in meeting Africa’s serious challenges ahead.
Bolstering fragile families. SOS believes in keeping families intact whenever possible. In Africa, SOS will continue to work with local communities, authorities, and partner organizations to support disadvantaged families. Family strengthening programs are designed to prevent poverty and disease from leading to child abandonment.
Training youth. The poor economic climate in many African countries keeps young people from successfully securing a trade and the ability to lead an independent life. To offer SOS youths the best possible foundational skills, SOS will continue making their education and vocational training a top priority.
Securing local funding. It is difficult to find qualified staff in all areas of work and to get local funding to finance SOS programs and projects. SOS aims to raise a certain percentage of funding in the countries themselves, focusing on Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania, among other nations.
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| SOS siblings in Gambia. Photo by Claire Ladavicius |
Despite challenges, SOS Children's Villages will continue its efforts to improve the living conditions and future opportunities of needy African children and families. SOS will not cease raising its voice on behalf of children when their rights are violated or ignored.
You can help SOS conitnue its efforts in Africa by becomg a Global Village Builder. To learn more about SOS in Africa and around the world, sign up for our newsletter, or visit www.sos-usa.org for information on other ways to get involved.