SOS Children’s Villages is an international non-government organization that was founded in 1949 by Austrian Dr. Hermann Gmeiner. Dr. Hermann Gmeiner deduced that children needed the love from their families in order to live to their fullest potential. For over 60 years, his organization has been devoted to caring for children who have been abandoned, orphaned, neglected or face life complications.
Children’s villages have been set up all over the world, providing refuge to over 65,000 children and youths in 132 countries. Villages range from 8 to 14 houses. These houses are directed by housemothers who can care for up to 10 children. The SOS mothers remain unmarried their whole life until they retire at the age of 60. They devote their entire life to their “adopted” children.
SOS Children’s Villages Philippines was installed in 1967, now maintaining 8 villages in Manila (Alabang), Lipa, Tacloban, Calbayog, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Bataan. SOS Children’s Villages Philippines hopes achieve its goal of 12 villages by 2016. Take a look at some of the villages:
SOS Children’s Village Davao had set up in February 1982 on SOS Drive, J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City with 14 Family Houses and 162 children. In 2009, SOS Davao recieved the Makatao Award at the TAO Awards, an annual awards ceremony initiated by the Humanities Division of the Ateneo de Davao University in March 2008.
SOS Children’s Village Ilo Ilo, opened in 1999, became a substantial refuge for children and families after Typhoon Frank in 2008. It stands in Poblacion Ilaya, Zarraga, Ilo Ilo with 12 family houses and 112 children.
Get involved and help the children of the Philippines. Visit: http://www.sosphilippines.org/