Bawana, Delhi

SOS Children's Village Bawana, near Delhi

Construction of the second SOS Children's Village of India, Bawana, started in 1974. The first families moved into their new homes in 1976. The SOS Children's Village is situated on the outskirts of Bawana.

It consists of 20 family houses which are grouped around the village square, staff accommodation, a multi-purpose hall with a sick bay, and the necessary service and administration area. The SOS Children's Village has large roofed-over areas which serve as playgrounds during the rainy season and, according to the regional custom, as sleeping areas during the hot-weather period.

Other SOS Projects in Bawana

The little children are looked after at the SOS Nursery School, which is also open to children from the local community. There is a playground where the children can romp around and have fun.

For older teenagers from the SOS Children's Village, there is an SOS Youth Home at Sonipat, which is about 12 km from the SOS Children's Village. Youngsters usually move to an SOS Youth Home when they start a vocational training course or go on to higher education. With the support of qualified youth workers, the young people develop realistic perspectives for their future, learn to shoulder responsibility and increasingly make their own decisions. They are encouraged to develop team spirit and build up contacts with relatives and friends, as well as with the relevant authorities and potential employers.

In 2003, SOS Children's Villages India launched its family strengthening programmes in Bawana. These programmes are intended to support families at risk of abandoning their children and to encourage families to stay together. SOS Children's Villages therefore works with local authorities and other service providers to support families and enable them to take good care of their children. The Bawana family strengthening programme provides nutritional, educational and health support as well as vocational training, career counselling sessions and job placement support. Families are linked with existing self-help groups; if there is no group, a new one is formed. The programme also aims at raising awareness of hygiene and child rights and improving people's parenting skills.

Background to Bawana

Bawana is a town in the North West district in the state of Delhi, India with a population of over 23,000.  Bawana has an average literacy rate of 72%.