Child Sponsorship background from Da Lat, Vietnam

SOS Children's Village Da Lat

After SOS Children's Village Da Lat had been re-opened, many abandoned or orphaned children, who had had to live in state-run orphanages, found a new home there.

The SOS Children's Village is situated at an altitude of 1,800m and is surrounded by pine forests. It consists of 14 family houses and the necessary administrative buildings.

Other SOS Projects in Da Lat

1992 saw the opening of an SOS Nursery, where up to 100 children can be taught in three group rooms. In September 1993, the primary level of the SOS School was officially opened, and in 1994 it was extended to include a secondary school. The school, with its 24 classrooms, laboratories, library and canteen, has a capacity of 1,100 students. Both nursery and school are attended by children from the SOS Children's Village and by children from the neighbourhood.

The SOS Medical Centre, which includes a dental clinic and a health centre, offers medical treatment and counselling to the local community.

Youths from the SOS Children's Village usually move to the SOS Youth Home when they start a vocational training course or go on to higher education. With the support of qualified youth workers, the youngsters develop realistic perspectives for their future, learn to shoulder responsibility and increasingly make their own decisions.

SOS Children's Villages also takes care of its retired SOS mothers: a special home for them has been built next to SOS Children's Village Da Lat.

In 2005, SOS Children's Villages launched its Family Strengthening Programmes. These programmes are intended to support families that are at risk of abandoning their children and 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. In Da Lat, the Family Strengthening Programme focuses on orphaned and abandoned children from the neighbourhood of the SOS Children's Village. Their legal guardians receive monthly financial support to enable them to take care of the children. Up to 100 children can benefit from this programme.