SOS Children’s Villages International

We are a global federation working to protect and care for children who have lost parental care, or at risk of losing it.

We work with communities, partners and states to ensure that the rights of all children, in every society, are fulfilled. We are non-governmental and non-denominational. We respect all religions and cultures and work with trusted partners in places where we can contribute to social development.

The vision of our founder Hermann Gmeiner of providing loving care within a family environment for children without parental care and helping families to stay together so they can care for their children, has grown steadily over seven decades. All the work we do is made possible through the generous support of sponsors and donors, institutional and corporate partners, and loyal friends worldwide. Your help is needed too. Today, SOS Children’s Villages International is active in 136 countries and regions around the world, helping each year hundreds of thousands of orphaned children and those who lack family support through alternative care, schools, health centres, family strengthening programmes and other community-based work.

Our Vision

Every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect and security.

Our Mission

We build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we share in the development of their communities.

Our History

The first SOS Children’s Village was founded by Hermann Gmeiner in Imst, Austria, in 1949. As a child welfare worker, Gmeiner saw how children orphaned as a result of World War II suffered. He was committed to helping them by building loving families and supportive communities for them. Learn more about Hermann Gmeiner’s life and work.