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| SOS is active in 45 countries in Africa. |
February 10, 2011: For four decades in Africa, SOS has seen it all. SOS Children’s Villages has operated in times of risk and times of peace across the continent in pursuit of one main goal: to raise Africa’s vulnerable children in an environment of respect and understanding that gives them hope and the foundation for a better future.
SOS entered Africa in 1971 with the opening of the SOS Children’s Village in Abobo-Gare in Côte d'Ivoire. Today, SOS provides homes, education, and loving support to orphaned and abandoned children in 45 African countries. Through its Villages and programs, SOS supports some 620,000 African children and young people.
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| Inside a refugee camp in Chad. Photo by Benno Neeleman |
Hardship, Suffering, and Hope for Africa’s Children
Over the years, the challenges facing Africa and its children have been alleviated to some extent in some regions. But civil war, political turmoil, and natural disasters continue to plague the continent. And since SOS launched its first Children’s Village in Africa, the AIDS pandemic in that area of the world has put the social fabric of whole nations at risk.
Living conditions for millions of children remain unacceptable. In many African countries, basic necessities like access to clean water, food, health care, education, and even suitable play space for children do not exist for large swaths of the population.
The consequences of disease alone have been dire for Africa’s families and children. In the last decade, SOS Children’s Villages has invested in shoring up local households and communities so that African families are able to stay intact in the face of enormous challenges such as HIV/AIDS. The aim is to work on site to improve the life of disadvantaged children by fostering self-reliance among fragile families and strengthening resources within their communities.
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| Distributing First Aid boxes in Niger. From SOS Archives |
Rapid Response During Crises
During four decades in Africa, disasters and war have repeatedly called for a rapid, non-bureaucratic response to children’s needs. Across Africa, short-term emergency relief efforts by SOS have often led to permanent facilities and social programs to improve the well-being of children.
Despite temporary evacuations and, at times, risk to life and limb, SOS Children's Villages has stayed the course in Africa, remaining in countries when the children under their care need help the most. In Somalia, for instance, for a period of time, SOS was one of the very few organizations active.
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.