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A child is alone and scared—you can be their hope.

Your sponsorship gives a vulnerable child a safe home and loving family.

Sponsor a child

“Welcome home.”

A child—scared, alone and without a family—longs to hear these words. With your sponsorship, you can be the one to welcome a child into a safe home, loving family and help provide all the resources and support they need to thrive.

Without a stable home or nurturing family, a child is vulnerable to poverty, hunger, violence, exploitation and countless other horrors. The impact is devastating—robbing them of a happy, healthy childhood. 

But a child who grows up in SOS Children’s Villages receives everything they need: love and care, healthy food, clothing, medical care, emotional support and a quality education. With your help, they can develop loving relationships that propel them into a successful and thriving future.

Every child deserves a safe and loving home. Sponsor a child today and give a child who is alone the comfort of a safe home, loving family and hope of a brighter future!

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What does my sponsored child receive?

— A stable and loving home

— A nurturing caregiver and a family

— A chance to grow up with their biological siblings

— Nutritious food, professional health care, clothing and toys

— A quality education

Psychological support 

— The opportunity to build a relationship with you!

Sponsor a child now

What do I receive as a sponsor?

— A welcome package with your sponsored child’s photo and details about their life in the children’s village

Mail from your sponsored child’s village twice each year with updates

— A new photo of your sponsored child every year

— The option to take a life-changing trip to visit your sponsored child

— The chance to build a relationship with a brave child as they grow up with your support!

Sponsor a child now

How much does it cost?

For just $35 per month, you'll provide a child with everything they need to grow and thrive

— Your contributions are tax-deductible

— SOS Children’s Villages USA has four-stars—the highest rating—from Charity Navigator

— SOS Children’s Villages USA is also highly recommended by GuideStar, CharityWatch and the Better Business Bureau

Sponsor a child now

— Established in 1949, working in more than 130 countries and territories, SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest organization focused on ensuring that children without parental care—or who are at risk of losing it—receive the care, relationships and support they need to become their strongest selves. 

— At the center of our work are more than 540 children's villages worldwide. Our work is based on a simple but groundbreaking idea: every child deserves a safe and loving home where they can grow, learn and thrive. With critical support from compassionate people like you, children have what they need to become happy, productive adults, capable of building strong families of their own. Your support enables stable family environments where children are nurtured by dedicated caregivers they can rely on..

— SOS Children’s Villages USA has four-stars—the highest rating— and a 97% score from Charity Navigator. We guarantee the responsible use of donations, holding ourselves to the utmost level of accountability with internal and external control systems and transparent financial reporting. SOS Children’s Villages USA is also highly recommended by GuideStar, CharityWatch and the Better Business Bureau.

— Your sponsorship contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

— A welcome package with your sponsored child’s photo and details about their life in the children’s village

— Mail from your sponsored child’s village twice each year with updates about how your sponsorship is making a difference

— A new photo of your sponsored child every year

— An optional monthly SOS Children's Villages e-newsletter that highlights current events and important topics facing children

— A donation confirmation of your first sponsorship contribution and annual tax receipt

— The opportunity to make special gifts to your sponsored child’s independence fund: a savings account to help them in the future when they transition to adulthood 

— The option to take a life-changing trip to the children’s village to visit your sponsored child

— The chance to build a relationship with a brave child as they grow up with your support

Your generous suport provides your sponsored child with:

— A stable, loving home with a nurturing caregiver and a family

— A chance to grow up with their biological siblings

— Nutritious food, professional healthcare, clothing and toys

— A quality education

— Psychological support to improve mental health and heal from trauma

— The opportunity to build a relationship with you

With your child sponsorship, you will experience the joy and satisfaction of seeing how your support is changing a child’s life for the better. Your generosity enables your sponsored child to develop resilience and build support networks to move confidently into adulthood. In fact, 80% of former participants are leading happy and self-reliant lives—experiencing social and emotional well-being.

For as little as one dollar per day—$35 per month—you can provide life-saving essentials and a brighter future for a child: a safe and loving home with a family, food, clothing, education, healthcare and the joy and comfort of knowing that you care.

Your sponsorship contributions support your sponsored child and their SOS Children’s Village.

Additional questions?

For more frequently asked questions, click here or contact Ade Onadipe, Sr. Sponsorship Manager at aonadipe@sos-usa.org or (202) 347-7923.

Your sponsorship and giving options

A day in the life of a sponsored child: Meet Nani

A sponsored girl in Africa called Nani


Nani* is 11 years old and in sixth grade. She loves playing with her dolls, drawing, reading and dancing. 

Watching her play, you would not guess that Nani’s life began with tragedy. Her mother passed away before Nani was 2 months old. But now Nani’s future is bright, thanks to caring SOS Children’s Villages supporters like you! 

With the generous support from our donors, an SOS Children’s Village was opened in Blantyre, Malawi—a landlocked country in southeastern Africa. Nani was the first child to be placed in the village’s care. She was embraced by SOS mother Nellie Itimu and is growing up under her caring, protective eye, together with four SOS brothers and two SOS sisters.

Here is what a typical Sunday is like for Nani: 

On the weekend, she is able to sleep in. Nani makes her bed, neatly placing her two favorite dolls on her pillow. She shares this room with her older SOS sisters. 

For breakfast, Nellie has made porridge. She joins her family for the nourishing meal. “We are not in a rush to finish breakfast, since none of us is going to school today. We have time to eat, talk, and laugh.” 

Next comes cleaning the dishes and other chores. Afterward, Nellie combs Nani’s long hair. “This is my princess,” she says, playfully placing a silver crown on her SOS daughter’s head. The two laugh and embrace. 

Later, the family plays cards. “I do not get this game, but I play it anyway. I do it for fun, just to hang out with my family,” Nani says. 

At midday, it’s time to make lunch. “I know how to cook vegetables,” Nani says as she washes spinach leaves. 

Later in her room, Nani draws by the window. “Sketching is just a hobby,” she says. “My dream is to be an accountant.” Soon the outdoors beckon; Nani dashes out to play with friends. They dance and sing to Malawian tunes. “I love dancing,” Nani says between breaths. “It makes me so happy.” 

There is homework to do in the evening, with her SOS mother nearby to help. Nani keeps an eye on the clock. Bedtime is early so she can be ready for a full school week of learning. 

 

Your child sponsorship helps provide a child like Nani with everything she needs to grow up and reach her full potential—thank you for being part of the worldwide SOS family! 

Sponsored children playing in their village in Africa*Nani's name has been changed to protect her identity.

Read more about how your child sponsorship creates impact 

Our child sponsorship model supports a child's safety, development and transition into adulthood. Learn more about how sponsoring a child can help to combat some of the most significant challenges for children and young people, including mental and physical health carehunger, education, violence against children and resiliency in humanitarian crises.

Children who are living on their own, without parental care, often suffer from treatable medical conditions, without access to health care. And children with mental illnesses or trauma-related conditions, are rarely able to access the services they need to improve their health and live more fulfilling lives.

There is a way to help. When you sponsor a child with SOS Children’s Villages, you can help an orphaned child, or child separated from their parents, access the mental and physical health services they need to laugh, learn, grow and thrive.  
 

The problem: Restricted access to children’s health care threatens lives and futures 

Around the world, millions of separated, abandoned and orphaned children are forced to live with preventable medical conditions. Because of limited access to essential health care services, their quality of life is deeply impacted–and the results are devastating. 

The children’s mental health crisis

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that up to 20% of children and young people experience mental health disorders, and nearly one in two children worldwide experience physical or emotional violence, often at the hands of people they trust most. Orphaned children--due to trauma and lack of support–are at even higher risk. 

Without mental health support, children coping with trauma or other mental health challenges are at risk of long-term learning disorders, difficulties relating to peers, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As these children become adults, untreated mental health issues can result in psychiatric disorders, substance use, serious medical problems and lower income opportunities.  

Chronic illness and mortality

Many children without adequate parental care–including children suffering from neglect or abuse–experience higher rates of untreated chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes and heart conditions, which severely impact their education, quality of life and future. 

Tragically, children in developing countries are 10 times more likely to die before their fifth birthday compared to children in higher-income nations, according to UNICEF.
 

Be part of the solution: Sponsor a child with SOS  

When you sponsor a child with SOS Children’s Villages, you can help an orphaned child, or child separated from their parents, access the mental and physical health services they need to laugh, learn, grow and thrive.  

Growing up in SOS Children’s Villages, your sponsored child receives access to complete health care services,including children’s behavioral and mental healthchildren’s dental health and children’s home health care.
 

Here's how your sponsorship makes a difference:

  • Regular medical check-ups: To ensure early detection and treatment of illnesses and the overall health of their developing bodies. 

  • Vaccinations: To protect children from preventable diseases such as measles, polio, hepatitis and more–including those specific to the child’s country.  

  • Access to children’s emergency health care: To provide necessary medical interventions and specialized care from the appropriate hospitals and clinicians when needed. 

  • Child and adolescent mental health assessment: To ensure early detection and treatment of mental illnesses and safeguard children’s overall mental health and well-being. 

  • Counseling services: In addition to the trauma-informed care provided in our villages, children are supported by professional counselors who can help them process traumatic experiences and difficult emotions. 

  • Ecosystem for child mental health: The SOS Children’s Village environment provides a community of caregivers and peers that foster a sense of safety and trust in which vulnerable children can heal, grow and succeed. 

  • Child development mental health awareness: To educate children and young people about mental health issues, available support and healthy coping mechanisms. 
     

Your support can be the difference for a struggling child 

By sponsoring a child, you are not just providing financial assistance—you're offering a child hope, health and a better tomorrow.  

Join our community of compassionate child sponsors today and transform the life of a child in need. Together, we can ensure that every child has access to the essential health care and mental health support they deserve. 

Sponsor a child with SOS Children's Villages USA today and be a part of the solution!

Child hunger statistics in the world reveal a stark reality for children. Malnutrition and child hunger in the world are responsible for 45% of deaths in children under the age of five, and orphaned children are among the most vulnerable, facing increased risks of malnutrition and starvation due to lack of resources and support.

The impact on orphaned children

The facts about child hunger are even more dire when we look at the impact on children without care or at risk of losing it:

  • Orphaned children often lack access to basic nutrition, facing hunger as a daily reality.
  • Malnutrition not only stunts a child’s physical growth but also hinders their cognitive development, limiting future opportunities.
  • Hunger exacerbates health issues, making children more susceptible to diseases and infections.

How your child sponsorship makes a difference

Child sponsorship is a unique opportunity to help world hunger and make a real difference for a child.

  • Direct impact: When you sponsor a child with SOS Children’s Villages, you provide a lifeline for a vulnerable child, ensuring they have access to nutritious meals.
  • Holistic support: Unlike other child hunger charities, your child sponsorship with SOS provides more than food; your sponsored child receives comprehensive support, including healthcare, education, and emotional well-being.
  • Empowerment: By sponsoring a child, you empower a special girl or boy to break the cycle of poverty and hunger, creating a ripple effect that transforms entire communities.

Real results: Changing lives one child at a time

  • Nutrition security: Through your child sponsorship, a child receives regular, nutritious meals, supporting their physical and mental development.
  • Health improvement: With access to proper nutrition and healthcare, sponsored children in SOS Children’s Villages experience improved health, reducing the risk of diseases and infections.
  • Educational opportunities: Well-fed children can concentrate better in school, enhancing their learning potential and paving the way for a brighter future.
  • Community development: Your contribution doesn't just benefit one child but uplifts entire communities, fostering sustainable development and resilience against hunger.

Sponsor a child and join the fight against hunger

Today’s child hunger facts can change if we work together. Your support can change the trajectory of a child's life, offering hope and opportunity to an unparented child. And when you choose to sponsor a child with SOS, you’ll receive regular updates on your sponsored child's progress and the community's development.

Become a champion for children's rights and the fight against hunger by sponsoring a child today to create a world where no child goes to bed hungry. Because SOS works in over 130 countries, we offer sponsorships that help children around the world including child sponsorship in Asia, child sponsorship in Europe, child sponsorship in Central and South America. And if you are interested in supporting hungry children in Africa, we offer child sponsorship for children in Africa’s many countries as well.

Ready to make your impact? Sponsor a child today!

Worldwide food shortages have increased the number of children facing food-insecurity and starvation. Together, we can solve world hunger and build a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive. Take the first step towards creating lasting change and sponsor a child today. Your generosity can make all the difference!

In a world where natural disasters and global conflicts increasingly disrupt lives, children often bear the heaviest burden. Floods, earthquakes and wars not only ravage communities, but also leave the most vulnerable among us—orphaned children, or children living without adequate care—facing unimaginable hardships. This is where your child sponsorship becomes not just beneficial, but vital, in the context of humanitarian crisis.

The devastating impact of disasters on children 

Natural disasters and global conflicts can have stark short and long-term effects on the lives of children and young people worldwide. 

Immediate and long-term vulnerabilities: 

In the aftermath of a disaster, children are immediately vulnerable to malnutrition, disease, and trauma. Further, their education, physical and mental health, and overall well-being can be severely impacted. 

Increased risk of exploitation: 

Disasters can leave children orphaned or separated from their families, significantly increasing their risk of exploitation—including labor and sex trafficking—and other forms of abuse. 

Educational disruption: 

The destruction of schools and displacement of families often interrupts or puts education on hold, sometimes permanently, depriving children of their right to learn. 

How your child sponsorship makes a difference 

Sponsoring a child with SOS Children's Villages USA offers a beacon of hope amidst these challenges. Here's how your sponsorship can directly contribute to disaster relief and recovery: 

Provision of essential necessities: 

Your sponsorship ensures that the sponsored child receives food, clean water, healthcare, and shelter—essential needs that are often compromised during disasters. 

A caring environment:

Beyond basic necessities, your support helps provides safe, supportive environments for children who have lost their homes or families, with caregivers trained in providing trauma-informed care, crucial for their emotional and psychological recovery. 

Continuity of education: 

With your help, sponsored children can continue their education even in the face of adversity. When disasters occur, our staff works to create safe spaces where children can continue to grow and learn until more permanent locations are secured.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR): 

Your sponsorship helps to support the resiliency of young people and families before disaster even strikes. SOS Children’s Villages’ programming includes disaster risk reduction, preparing communities and children to better withstand future disasters with knowledge and resources specific to their environment and climate conditions. Your support play a critical role in fostering environments where children are safer and communities are more resilient against the inevitability of natural disasters and conflicts. 

Joining forces with disaster relief organizations: 

By sponsoring a child, you're also supporting an international disaster relief fund aimed at providing timely and effective assistance to children and young people affected by disasters in your sponsored child’s country. SOS Children's Villages USA collaborates with disaster relief organizations and humanitarian aid groups globally to deliver comprehensive support, from immediate relief to long-term recovery and rehabilitation. 

 

How to make a difference 

Becoming a sponsor is a straightforward and impactful way to contribute to humanitarian aid efforts in your sponsored child’s community and country. By choosing to donate to children in need through SOS Children's Villages USA, you're taking a significant step towards ensuring that children in the most disaster-prone regions have a chance not just to survive but to thrive. 

Your support can transform lives, offering hope and tangible assistance to those caught in the crossfire of nature's fury and human conflicts. Together, we can ensure that children around the world receive the protection, care and opportunities they deserve. 

 

Take action today 

Don't wait for another disaster to strike. Sponsor a child today and be a change-maker for children and young people without adequate care. Child sponsorship is a unique opportunity to contribute to the global disaster relief fund, humanitarian relief fund, and international disaster relief efforts. 

Your support not only changes a child's life but also contributes to building stronger, more resilient communities, ready to face whatever challenges come their way. Join us in our mission to provide children in need with a loving home, quality education, and a brighter future, even in the toughest of times.

Access to quality education: A global challenge

Access to quality education remains a significant challenge for millions of children, particularly those who are orphaned, abandoned or living in poverty. Across the globe, children face a wide range of barriers that prevent them from attending school, such as:

  • Lack of financial resources for school fees, uniforms and supplies
  • Insufficient infrastructure, including a shortage of schools and classrooms, and safe means of travel to and from school
  • Cultural or societal barriers, particularly affecting girls' education
  • Forced displacement due to conflict or natural disasters
     

The critical value of education for children

Education is not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about empowering children and young people with the tools and opportunities they need to detremine their own futures. Here are just a few examples of how an education transforms the life and potential of a child:

  • Empowerment: Education provides children with the skills and knowledge they need to build a better future for themselves, their families and their communities.
  • Health and well-being: Educated children are more likely to lead healthier lives, with improved access to healthcare and healthier lifestyle choices.
  • Economic opportunities: From early childhood development to secondary school graduation, education opens doors to better employment opportunities, greater independance and stronger families—breaking the cycle of poverty for future generations.
     

The unique impact on girls

Despite significant progress in recent years, millions of girls around the world are still denied the fundamental right to education simply because of their gender. 

  1. Access to education: According to UNESCO, there are approximately 130 million girls worldwide who are out of school. These girls face barriers such as poverty, child marriage, harmful cultural norms, and inadequate infrastructure, such as a lack of private bathrooms.

  2. Gender disparities: In many communities, girls are not given the same opportunities as boys when it comes to education. Harmful gender roles and stereotypes often dictate that girls should prioritize household chores, sibling care or early marriage over pursuing their academic aspirations.

  3. Dropout rates: Even for girls who manage to enroll in school, dropout rates remain alarmingly high. Factors such as lack of sanitation facilities, distance to schools, and societal pressure to contribute to household income force many girls to abandon their education prematurely.

But amidst these challenges lies an incredible opportunity for transformation. When we invest in girls' education, we don't just change one life—we change entire communities for the better. Here's how:

  1. Breaking the cycle of poverty: Education is one of the most effective tools for breaking the cycle of poverty. Educated girls are more likely to secure employment, earn higher wages, and reinvest their income back into their families and communities.

  2. Improving health outcomes: Educated girls are more likely to make informed decisions about their health, leading to lower maternal and infant mortality rates. Additionally, educated girls are better equipped to advocate for their rights, including access to healthcare services and reproductive rights.

  3. Fostering economic growth: By educating girls, we're not just investing in individuals—we're investing in the economic prosperity of entire nations. Studies show that increasing girls' education could lead to significant economic growth and development.

  4. Promoting gender equality: Education empowers girls to challenge harmful gender norms and advocate for their rights. When girls are educated, they become agents of change, driving progress towards gender equality in their communities and beyond.

Now more than ever, we need your support to ensure that every girl has the opportunity to fulfill her potential through education. Your sponsorship will directly impact the life of a girl, providing her with the tools and resources she needs to thrive.
 

How your child sponsorship makes a difference

Through the child sponsorship program with SOS Children's Villages, you can make a direct impact on a child's access to education, breaking down the barriers that would deny them this precious human right. By sponsoring a child, you:

  • Ensure quality education: Your support provides children with access to schools equipped to meet their needs, including resources unique to the needs of orphaned children, children recovering from trauma and children with disabilities.
  • Support early childhood development: After 75 years of supporting children's education around the world, we understand the value and impact of early childhood development. Laying the foundation for lifelong learning and success, children with early childhood learning resources have an increased chance of completing their edcuation and entering adulthood with confidence. 
  • Community empowerment: Your child sponsorship contributions support the education of your sponsored child and the children in their village, giving them the tools they need to thrive and become agents of change in their communities.
  • Promote equality: Our programs prioritize gender equality, ensuring that girls have equal opportunities and the unique support and resources they need to learn and succeed.


Donate to impact: Sponsor a child's education today

Join us in our mission to ensure that all children can access an education and a brighter future. Your donation to our education fund directly supports children's education, providing them with the resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

Together, we can make a difference. Sponsor a child's and support their education with SOS Children's Villages USAhelp build a better tomorrow for children around the world!

At SOS Children's Villages USA, we're on a mission to end violence against children (EVAC) by providing holistic care and support through our child sponsorship program. From tackling issues like child neglect and emotional trauma to combatting child exploitation and trafficking, our child sponsors are creating a safer and more nurturing world for children in need.

Understanding the reality: Child neglect and abuse

Child neglect, including emotional neglect, is a harsh reality faced by millions of children worldwide. It manifests in various forms, from medical neglect to abandonment, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Here's a glimpse into the severity of the issue:

  • Child neglect definition: Child neglect encompasses the failure to provide a child's basic needs, including food, shelter, healthcare and emotional support.
  • Emotional neglect signs: Identifying emotional neglect can be challenging, but common signs include feelings of abandonment, low self-esteem and difficulties forming healthy relationships.
  • Long-term effects: Children who experience neglect in childhood may carry emotional scars into adulthood, impacting their mental health and ability to function in society.

Combatting exploitation and trafficking

Child exploitation, including forced labor and trafficking, is a grave violation of children's rights. SOS Children's Villages USA is committed to preventing and addressing these issues through advocacy and community empowerment. Here's what you need to know:

  • Child exploitation definition: Child exploitation involves the misuse and abuse of children for profit or personal gain, with examples ranging from child labor to sex trafficking.
  • Human trafficking facts: Shockingly, millions of children are trafficked each year, subjected to forced labor, sexual exploitation and other forms of abuse.
  • Our fight against child slavery: Through our global efforts in more than 130 countries and territories, we're working tirelessly to combat child slavery and provide vulnerable children with the protection and support they deserve.

Empowering through sponsorship

When you sponsor a child with SOS Children's Villages USA, you're directly contributing to the well-being and protection of children at risk of violence and exploitation. Here's how your sponsorship makes a difference:

  • Essential support: Your sponsorship ensures that a child receives access to vital necessities like food, healthcare and quality education, in a caring environment, safe from neglect and abuse.
  • Family-like environment: SOS Children's Villages provides a loving family environment for children who have been abandoned or orphaned, offering stability and support, along with the opportunity to stay with their biological siblings.
  • Psychological care: Our dedicated staff provides trauma-informed care and counseling to help children heal from past traumas and develop resilience.
  • Preventing bullying and online abuse: Through awareness programs and advocacy, we're working to combat online bullying and protect children from cyber threats.

Together, let's create a safer world for children

Join us in our mission to end violence against children and create a future where every child is safe, supported, and empowered to thrive. Together, we can make a difference one child at a time. Sponsor a child with SOS Children's Villages USA today and be a part of the solution.