Overview

SOS Children’s Villages is an international organization that supports children who have lost parental care or are at risk of losing it. In Ethiopia, the organization provides family-based care, strengthens vulnerable families, supports youth in their journey toward independence, and responds to emergencies such as drought and conflict. It also works in education, health, psychosocial support, and child rights advocacy.

History

The organization began its work in Ethiopia following the famine of 1973. The first SOS Children’s Village was established in Mekelle in 1974. Over the years, additional villages were created in Harrar (1980), Addis Ababa (1981), Hawassa (1985), Bahir Dar (2000), Gode (2004), and Jimma (2012).

Areas of Operation

SOS Children’s Villages operates in seven regions of Ethiopia: Tigray, Addis Ababa, Amhara, Harari, Oromia, the Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples’ Region (SNNP), and Somali. Across these areas, the organization runs children’s villages, kindergartens, schools, youth facilities, and community-based programs.

Key Services and Programs

Family-Based Care: Children who cannot remain with their biological families are cared for in SOS families, where they grow up with an SOS mother and siblings.

Youth Support: Young people transitioning out of care receive guidance, vocational training, and help with employment or further education.

Family Strengthening: Community programs help families stay together through counseling, parenting education, livelihood training, and income support.

Education: The organization runs kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, as well as vocational training centers.

Health and Protection: Children receive access to healthcare, nutrition, and psychosocial services, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding.

Emergency Relief: In times of drought, displacement, or conflict, SOS provides urgent assistance, including shelter, food, and protection.

Vocational Training: Production and skills-training centers, such as in Addis Ababa, prepare young people for employment in trades like carpentry, mechanics, and metal work.

Examples of Local Impact

In Addis Ababa, the SOS Village includes 15 family houses, a kindergarten, youth facilities, and a vocational training center.

In Jimma, the village provides care for up to 150 children and includes a social center, kindergarten, and school serving over 600 students.

In Bahir Dar and Mekelle, SOS supports thousands of children and families through education, care, youth programs, and emergency services.

Challenges

SOS Children’s Villages Ethiopia operates under challenging conditions, including:

High vulnerability of children due to poverty, conflict, displacement, food insecurity, and illness.

Low levels of birth registration, limiting access to essential services.

Limited infrastructure in some regions, making service delivery difficult.

Political instability and regional conflicts, especially in Tigray and border areas.

Ongoing funding needs to ensure the sustainability of long-term care and community programs.

Organization and Contact

The national office is based in Addis Ababa. It coordinates the network of children’s villages and community programs across the country and ensures alignment with international SOS Children’s Villages standards.