SOS Children's Villages Dosso, in Niger - Photo by C. Flore Ngo Biyack

November 21, 2011: SOS Children's Village Dosso was officially inaugurated on November 8 by Niger's First Lady, Dr Malika Issoufou Mahamadou, in the presence of thousands of guests.

The SOS Village Dosso is located about 85 miles east of Niger's capital, Niamey.  The Dosso region has an estimated 1,506,000 inhabitants who mainly live on agriculture and livestock. Great parts of the population are living in poverty with limited access to food, education and health care. The new SOS Children's Villages program there has a capacity for 120 children in SOS families, a Social and Medical Center, an SOS Kindergarten and an SOS Primary School. These facilities are of great contribution to the level of education of children and medical services for the communities sorely lacking in the region.

Before SOS, several of the children in the new Village had never been to school before the age of 10. Very early on, and despite their young age, these boys and girls were already involved in roles traditionally reserved to adults. Some were forced to do petty trading, whereas others had to beg to support their entire families. At SOS, they are finding a second chance at a real childhood.

First Lady Acknowledges the Work of SOS Children's Villages in Niger

Illusionist and SOS Ambassador David Goldrake entertains children at SOS Dosso opening day.  Photo by C. Flore Ngo Biyack

First Lady Dr Malika Issoufou Mahamadou said she was particularly impressed by the organization of the work, as well as the quality of attention for the children. Sama Rassi, who had just started working as an SOS Mother two months ago, had the honor of receiving this distinguished guest in her family house: "She tightly took my hand. She appreciated my family house a lot, saying that it was clean and well-decorated. She spoke with my baby. She carried him and cherished him, while wishing him to be the future president of Niger," she confided with emotion.

The Minister of Population, the Promotion of Women and Protection of the Child, Hadiza Maikibi Dan Dobi, said she was proud of the work of SOS Children's Villages. "SOS Children's Village Dosso is the perfect illustration of the fight against distress of children in all ways," she said.

New Social Programs Planned

Speaking on behalf of SOS Children's Villages International, Regional Director Ms. Vania Asenova illustrated the history and future of SOS in Niger.  She reminded listeners that three SOS Children's Villages currently support the country with a capacity to take in 120 children each; seven SOS Youth Facilities for 80 young people, two Family Strengthening Programs with 1,016 beneficiaries and two Medical Centers for some 2,500 patients per year. She also announced that a third Family Strengthening Program will begin in Dosso very soon, as well as a fourth SOS Children's Villages program in Maradi, in the east of Niger.

You can support SOS Children's Villages programs in Niger and around the world.  Make a donation today or learn more about Sponsoring a Child through SOS Children's Villages.