SOS Children's Villages International

SOS Children's Villages is active in 133 countries and territories. The variety of this international work is brought together by the umbrella organisation SOS Children's Villages International, which unites all of the autonomous national associations.   Organisational structure In all countries where SOS Children's Villages operates, the aim is to form a national association which is its own legal entity, with its own statutes and Board of Directors. Common for all of them is membership of the international umbrella association, and the fact that their Board of Directors work on an honorary basis. Each member association has to comply with the international statutes and principles for education and child-care of SOS Children's Villages International, and for financial and administrative practices. The national associations are registered and organised as a foundation, trust, association, non-profit company or society. As a full member of SOS Children's Villages International, they have the right to apply for funding through the umbrella association, and to request services from the General Secretariat.   WHAT THEY DO At SOS Children’s Villages they believe that children can only develop to their full potential if they have a supportive and protective family environment.  They work to make this a reality. At the centre of our SOS Children’s Villages programme is the individual child. They encourage children to actively take part in the making of decisions that affect their lives.   Preventing crisis leading to family separation They work with disadvantaged families in order to prevent crises that can lead to family separation. They offer various forms of support to strengthen and stabilise families as much as possible so that children can grow up in their own families. The aim is always to build the skills and capacities of carers and of their communities so that children can enjoy positive and caring relationships.   Strengthening SOS families and foster families They also strengthen SOS families and foster families, which provide stable and consistent care to children who cannot remain in their family of origin, and for whom family-based care is considered the best option. Short-term solutions may be offered in crisis situations.   Individualised care Whether located all together or dispersed within a community, SOS families provide individualised care and promote the development, education and health of each child. They work together with communities to develop and improve local education and health infrastructure. In some cases SOS Children's Villages runs kindergartens, day-care centres, schools and vocational training centres, as well as medical centres.   A leading voice for children Building on our experience, they are also a leading voice for children who have lost their parent or whose parents cannot care for them.  They aim to make a change that will improve the lives and living conditions of all these children, their families and their communities.