Two boys climbing up a tree at Children's Village Tres…
Each child or young adult has a different way of describing life in an SOS Children's Village. Children from SOS Children's Village Tres Ríos in Costa Rica made a guided tour with two co-workers visiting their village and commented on what they like to do there. Here is what the visitors had to say:
- Lisa
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Two boys climbing up a tree at Children's Village Tres Ríos San José, Costa Rica.
Each child or young adult has a different way of describing life in an SOS Children's Village. Children from SOS Children's Village Tres Ríos in Costa Rica made a guided tour with two co-workers visiting their village and commented on what they like to do there. Here is what the visitors had to say:
We had the opportunity to get to know SOS Children's Village Tres Ríos first hand with Alberto, aged eight, and three of his closest friends. As they were guiding us through the village, the children displayed a remarkably high degree of self-confidence and enthusiasm. The 'tour' started and ended at Alberto's home. We were carried away by the challenge that involved climbing and walking down more than 100 stairs.
The pride Alberto and his friends feel when it comes to their village was evident. As Oscar put it, "We care a lot about our village, that's why we don't throw away garbage." Lucía said, "Come this way [referring to a trail], you are not going to fall... - Take my picture here, see how beautiful it is!"
We were impressed with the openness of these children. It mattered little to them who we were or where we came from; what was most important to them was that we saw every corner of the village, including the retired mothers' home, as one of the youths pointed out.
The children led us up to the eastern boundary of the village where a few cows were grazing at a nearby farm. "We always give them something to eat," they commented, happy to share the story with us.
Pedro, a 15-year-old boy, told us that his biological brothers had left the village a few months ago, but that he has other 'affective' siblings whom he gets along with just great. "I love playing football and I am happy for everything I have in the village", Pedro said with a big smile.
The 13 family houses of the village are beautiful and cosy. The open-minded people living inside warmly welcomed us, and even gave an insight into their private life. One of the smallest boys pointed out that there is also a place in the village where the big boys play football, but also "the smaller ones like me".
In the eyes of Alberto and his friends, each SOS mother is characteristic in a way that makes her stand out from the others. For example, Manuel said, "The house of Mama Rosa is the cleanest of the village"; "This mom [referring to Xiomara] likes us to play at the playground with her children," Lucía remarked; Oscar said: "This mom [referring to Lorraine] gets angry if we tear the plants". But to each child, his or her own mom is the best of all.
It was a real pleasure to see the children enjoying themselves at the village and having fun even with little things, such as soap bubbles or hiding between plants. Their way of playing and interacting made us think that this is the best way of seeing the world. Hopefully, we can also sometimes see life the way the children of SOS Children's Village Tres Ríos do.
For privacy reasons, we have changed the names of the children.
Article written by Raquel Gamboa, co-worker in the national office and Annia Ávila, social worker at SOS Children's Village Moín.
- Mary
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A little girl holding a bunny in her arms at Children's Village Osttirol Lienz, Austria.
The concept of the SOS Children's Village was developed in 1949 in Austria. It seemed an obvious thing to do given the number of children orphaned after the second world war. This idea of giving children a very stable and loving environment spread rapidly and ten years later, as many as twenty SOS Children's Villages existed in Austria, Germany, France and Italy.
In 1963, SOS Children's Village established its work in the Least Developed Countries. The first steps towards being the largest worldwide charity for orphans and abandoned children were taking place at this time.
Bringing up these children within their own cultural and religious traditions until they reach independence is one of the principles in a process of re-thinking in social welfare terms.
Today, more than 850 orphans or abandoned children live in nine Austrian SOS Children's Villages and other support and training facilities. In addition, 14 SOS Youth Facilities and SOS Girls' Residences have been set up. Here, the young people who are attending further studies or undergoing vocational training can prepare for an independent life under the supervision of experienced supporters.
A psycho-therapeutic centre was established for children who have been exposed to such severe psychological strain, that they cannot be integrated straight away into a normal family-unit of the SOS Children's Village without special care beforehand.
The SOS Children's Village of Lienz, in the province of East Tyrol, was the second SOS Children's Village in the world to be inaugurated. It is situated in the centre of the village of Debant.
This SOS Children's Village with its 7 family houses is one of the smallest in Austria and merges completely with the village. Its central position has the advantage, that schools, the nursery and other facilities can be easily reached.
The children of the SOS Children's Village are well integrated into local village life. The SOS Youth Facility was built in 1976 and is only at 5 minutes' walking distance from the SOS Children's Village.
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