Child Sponsorship Background from Mopti, Mali

SOS Children's Village Socoura, near Mopti

SOS Children's Village Socoura, Mali was constructed on about eight hectares of land near the town of Mopti . It was officially opened on 29 November 1997, after the first children had moved in during September of the previous year. It consists of twelve family houses for a total of 120 children, a village director's house, an aunt's house, a sports ground and an administration building.

Other SOS Projects in Socoura

On the SOS Children's Village Socoura site there is also an SOS Nursery school, which has been open since 1997. 150 children (also from the neighbouring areas) can be cared for in six rooms. There is a kitchen, an administration area and a playground.

In view of the poverty that prevails outside the SOS Children's Village and beyond, an SOS Social Centre was opened in Socoura in June 2005, the main target of which is to support needy families. The offer, from which 36 families (150 children and 116 adults) currently benefit, also includes school grants and the funding of agricultural equipment and livestock to create an income as well as literacy courses for adults and training courses for women and young people. Moreover, health consultations will be carried out and people will be given food or assisted in putting together self-help programmes.

Background to Mopti

Mopti (pronounced Mohti) has a population of approximately 110,000.  It is the fourth-largest city in Mali, located on the confluence of the Niger and Bani.  It is about 650km north-east of the capital, Bamako. It is Mali's most important port.