SOS Children’s Village

The SOS Children’s Villages Association of South Africa is a member of SOS – Kinderdorf International, the largest private welfare organization for children in the world. Over 200 000 children benefit from the various residential, educational and developmental programmes operating in 135 countries.

SOS – Kinderdorf International began in 1949 when the founder Hermann Gmeiner built the first Children’s Village in Imst, Austria.He was committed to helping children in need – children who had lost their homes, their security and their families as a result of the Second World War. With the support of many donors and co-workers, our organisation has grown to help children all over the world.

The varied and worldwide projects of SOS – Kinderdorf International are non-profit, apolitical, interdenominational and non-racial. The projects include SOS Children’s Villages, SOS Family Strengthening Programmes, SOS Kindergartens, SOS Youth Facilities, Hermann Gmeiner Social Centres, SOS Relief Work, Hermann Gmeiner Schools, SOS Vocational Training and Production Centres and SOS Hermann Gmeiner Medical Centres.

In South Africa, we take action for children as an independent non-governmental social development organisation. We respect varying religions and cultures, and we work in communities where our mission can contribute to development. We work in the spirit of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and we promote these rights around the world.