Child Sponsorship Background from Banda Aceh, Indonesia

SOS Children's Village Banda Aceh

On the morning of 26 December 2004, a tsunami caused by an earthquake with its epicentre near Banda Aceh struck the coastal areas of the Indian Ocean. More than 130,000 people died in Indonesia, even more lost their homes and thousands of children were separated from their parents. The 200-km coast line between the cities of Banda Aceh and Meulaboh was the worst affected area. Banda Aceh is the capital of Aceh Province in North-Western Sumatra.

SOS Children's Village Banda Aceh is situated in Lamreung, about 7 km from the centre of Banda Aceh, in a quiet area surrounded by rice fields. It consists of a number of family houses, a director's house, a community centre (administration and a medical room), an activity centre (computers, library, music, dance), a multi-purpose hall and different co-workers' residences.

Since the people in Aceh Province are 98% Muslims, a mosque has been set up in the SOS Children's Village. The SOS Children's Village offers a new home for orphaned or abandoned children.

Other SOS Projects in Banda Aceh

Furthermore, there is an SOS Nursery School with three classes of 30 children each; it is also open to children from the local community. The older children attend public schools, which helps them to grow up just like their friends from outside the SOS Children's Village.

The SOS Social Centre offers family strengthening, health counselling, community support, counselling and psychological support. The programmes are designed to ensure that children have access to essential services, such as education, health services and psycho-social support. Families are assisted with income generation. They also receive help when dealing with the authorities. People's parental skills and awareness of children's rights are improved.

Background to Banda Aceh

Banda Aceh is largest city of Aceh, Indonesia and is located on the island of Sumatra.  It is the provincial capital. Banda Aceh has a population of approximately 260,000.