Child Sponsorship Background from Johannesburg, South Africa

SOS Children's Village Ennerdale, near Johannesburg

Ennerdale is located approximately thirty kilometres south of Johannesburg. Feasibility studies in the early 1980s had shown that the community of Ennerdale was in need of an effective long-term child care model; hence, the first South African SOS Children's Village was established in this area. The first children and their SOS mothers moved in into SOS Children's Village Ennerdale in 1984 and the official opening ceremony took place the same year in the presence of Helmut Kutin, president of SOS Children's Villages International.

The SOS Children's Village Ennerdale comprises sixteen family houses, an administration and service area and houses for the village director and the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave). Up to 160 children can find a new home in the sixteen family houses.

Other SOS Projects in Ennerdale

The adjoining SOS Nursery has also been operational since 1984. It has a capacity to take in up to 100 children and consists of four group rooms, a kitchen and a playground. In order to meet the needs of the growing number of youths who had outgrown the SOS Children's Village, an SOS Youth Home was established in 1991, where up to 30 youths can stay during higher education or further training and prepare themselves for an independent life. Besides, a house for retired SOS mothers was established, where they can stay after retirement and act as grandmothers for the children.

An SOS Social Centre was set up in June 2000, comprising a clinic, a day-care centre and an HIV/AIDS community-based child care and support programme. The clinic offers treatment to up to 2,000 patients per year and the day-care centre has a capacity to take in up to 40 children between ages 0 and 3. HIV/AIDS affected families receive material and medical support, education and counselling, and they are supported with income generating activities. Moreover, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns are organised.

Background to Johannesburg

Ennerdale is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa. It is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the world, yet crime levels have dropped in recent years, partly due to developments in time for the 2010 World Cup.