Child Sponsorship background from Vilnius, Lithuania

By the early 1990s, the level of care became so poor that many children were consigned to out-of-date institutions with old-fashioned facilities and a shortage of trained staff. At this critical time, SOS Children stepped in to improve the quality of family-based care available to children in Lithuania.

Virsuliskes is a suburb of the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius. The capital city is situated in the south-east of the country and is home to a diverse population, with many Poles and Russians calling the area home. It is here that we opened a Children's Village, serving a wide range of people from many different backgrounds.

Growing need amid relative prosperity

Vilnius is the powerhouse of the country, as well as being its economic, political and cultural centre as well. Business spans food production and processing, chemical and timber, as well as the service industry, which makes up the dominant sector of the Lithuanian labour market.

Until recently, Vilnius was relatively prosperous, attracting people from all over the country, as well as further afield across the border. The economic crisis of the last decade had a huge impact on this big employment centre, causing escalating prices and putting families under increasing pressure. With parents facing long-term joblessness, the future of many children hangs in the balance.

Empowering communities

Against this backdrop, SOS Children has worked with local authorities to give communities the power to help themselves. We help families make the best of their circumstances by providing advice and guidance on parenting and supporting them to boost their income through business and entrepreneurship.

We nurture children whose health has suffered as a result of neglect or poverty, providing nutritional support and the care they need to recover their health. Importantly, we encourage families to help each other by bringing communities together through leisure activities. By forming long-lasting relationships, families can be there for each other at times of strain, giving children the strong support networks that enables them to thrive.

SOS Children provides the support families in Lithuania need to build strong, supportive networks for their children. Educational support and the best of healthcare means that young people can enjoy childhood and look forward to a prosperous and secure future.