SOS Children's Villages

Village in Pondicherry is home to 142 children - Photo: D. Sansoni

Since its founding in 1949, SOS Children's Villages has expanded to 500 villages in 132 countries. We are currently raising over 80,000 children in our villages and through our many education, family strengthening, medical, and outreach programs impact the lives of over 1 million people each year.

Children who have been abandoned or orphaned come to SOS Children's Villages where they are integrated into a loving family environment. They are nurtured and supported by an SOS Mother and up to 15 other children in their SOS home who become their SOS brothers and sisters. Strong bonds develop within these "SOS families", and even after the children are grown and leave the village, these family relationships endure.

We build families for children in need
We work for children who are orphaned, abandoned or whose families are unable to care for them. We give these children the opportunity to build lasting relationships within an SOS family.

The family approach in the SOS Children's Village is based on four principles:
1) Each child needs a mother
2) Each child grows up most naturally with brothers and sisters
3) Each child grows up in their own house
4) Each child grows up within a supportive village environment

Waits to Donate
SOS provides loving homes to orphans in 132 countries. You may specify a country or allow SOS to select the area of greatest need. When you sponsor an SOS child, you provide meals, clothing, shelter, medical care and an education to a child who has lost everything. For just $1 per day you can change a child's life forever.