SOS-India

SOS India recognizes that one of the best ways to care for orphaned or abandoned children is to help them avoid having to go through the hardship of watching their families disintegrate in the first place. Our Family Strengthening Programs are designed to help at risk households act preventatively and spare their children the trauma and heartache of losing a parent or an entire family.

Many parents lack the financial resources to sufficiently provide for all of their children’s needs: buy healthy groceries, pay for doctor’s visits and school fees not just for one child, but often times for many. Lack of educational opportunities and reliable employment can make it very difficult for parents to escape the vicious circle of poverty, but through our Family Strengthening Programs we empower parents to create a better, self-sufficient future for themselves and their young ones.

Aim

The aim of the program is to provide support for disadvantaged families around the world who are faced with adverse external circumstances such as poverty, disease, violence, natural disasters and armed conflict. SOS Children’s Villages works in collaboration with communities and local partners to empower these families to become independent and self-sufficient. The program targets vulnerable families and their children under the age of 18.

Programs and Objectives

Families take part in programs to raise awareness about issues such as children’s rights, the importance of clean water, hygiene, education and civic participation. The programs emphasize activities that promote self-confidence among the children and their families. We also encourage families to form self-help groups and exchange ideas about their newly-found strengths and skills within the community.

Through our programs many parents have the opportunity to make a new start for themselves through vocational training or micro-credit initiatives. We encourage families to engage in volunteer work in the community in order to establish a strong identity. In the end, we hope that these progams help families and communities to stand on their own, so that they can provide for their children all by themselves in the future.

Statistics

The program currently serves over 20,000 children and their families. The program operates out of 31 locations across 20 states in India, and is continuously growing.