Company Profile

Company Description:

There are an estimated 46.4 million children under the age of 18 in Ethiopia. In spite of governmental initiatives, getting children to stay in school remains a problem: only 41 per cent of children finish primary school and just 16 per cent go on to secondary school. Many families simply can't afford to send their children to school.

Children are most vulnerable at times of water and food shortages. Over 6.1 million children are in need of humanitarian assistance in 2016. There is an increase in the incidence of child labour and trafficking and rise in gender based violence. Growing number of children are falling sick with diarrhoea and malnutrition. Contagious diseases like eye infections and scabies are becoming more common as families cannot wash their bodies or clothes.

SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia

Strengthening families: We work with local groups to support families who are at risk of breaking down. Our assistance includes material assistance and counselling for parents and children. In 2015, we reached over 12,000 children.

Care in SOS families: If, in spite of all assistance, children cannot live with their families, they can find a new home in one of the SOS Children’s Villages. In 2015, over 2000 children were growing up in SOS families. Some of these families live in houses integrated in the community.

Support for young people: We provide young people with support and training until they are able to live independently.  

Education: We run kindergartens in seven locations. Older children can attend one of our seven schools, which provide primary and secondary children for over 4500 pupils.

Medical care: Due to the scarcity of affordable medical care, SOS Children's Villages set up medical centres. These provide impatient and outpatient treatment to pregnant women, as well as to mothers, babies and children. We also run workshops on health subjects. Most of our patients come from local families, who could otherwise not afford to receive treatment.

Emergency programme: SOS Children`s Villages is currently working with the government and other agencies in order to deliver emergency aid to families affected by the drought and famine. We are planning to provide emergency food, access to sanitation facilities and clean water, medical care, emergency shelter and non-food items. We will also increase our child protection activities. Our long-term project includes building resilience so that communities are strengthened and prepared for future environmental disasters.