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Caring for children

Together, we can ensure every child grows up in a loving family.

Homes, not orphanages:
The SOS Children’s Villages’ model

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving home with everything they need to thrive. 

Yet 220 million children—one in ten worldwide—are at risk of growing up alone, without the nurturing care and protection of a parent or caregiver.

At SOS Children’s Villages, we work relentlessly to change that reality for children. As the world’s largest organization dedicated to family-based alternative care, we provide safe homes and loving families for children who have lost parental care.

Unlike the cold, clinical approach of institutional care—like orphanages or large group homes, where children face caregiver-to-child ratios as high as 31:1 and siblings are often separated—we provide individualized, trauma-informed care in family-like homes where siblings remain together. 

An SOS Mother nurtures children in a family-like home environment and provides all the resources children need to thrive—like healthy food, quality medical care, education and the deep emotional attachments research shows is crucial to children’s long-term health and success.

Give the gift of family

Protecting children from harm and exploitation

Ensuring a safe childhood goes beyond providing a home—it means protecting children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being and dignity.

Children who have lost, or are at risk of losing, parental care are among the most vulnerable to harm including: 

At SOS, we work to protect children and ensure every child grows up safe, secure and supported. 

Our child-friendly spaces, protection programs and community-based initiatives provide children with the care, safety and guidance they need to grow, learn and reach their full potential. 

Help protect vulnerable children

 

How we equip young people to transition into adulthood and succeed

Much like parents in a traditional setting guide their children into adulthood, SOS supports young people with the education, skills and mentorship they need to achieve independence and success. 

With higher education and skills training tailored to each individual’s passions, we equip young people with the knowledge and resources they need to secure reliable employment, develop in their careers, foster confidence and ultimately reach their full potential.

Investing in young people creates a ripple effect of positive change—for every $1 invested, there is a $5 return in community impact.

Together, we can help break cycles of poverty, create long-term opportunities for communities and build brighter futures for everyone!

Help young people succeed

Advocacy: Amplifying every child’s voice

Caring for children means amplifying their voices and advocating for their rights. 

Our advocacy efforts work to improve child protection policies and systems worldwide and strengthen local, national and international family-care systems. 

We believe children and young people should not only be heard—but also be leaders in shaping their own future. By promoting their voices to the forefront of policy discussions and legislative decisions, we ensure their rights are recognized and upheld. 

  Support this work   

Learn more about our work

 

Building strong families

We work directly with vulnerable families to address the root causes of family separation and prevent the crisis before it occurs. Our locally staffed, community-based programs help families create stable, loving environments where children can thrive.

Emergency response

During crises, children face unimaginable challenges—enduring extreme distress that leaves them vulnerable to anxiety, PTSD and other mental health challenges. These crises disrupt their education, increases their likelihood of never finishing school and exposes them to life-threatening injuries.