SOS Children’s Villages Namibia celebrates 40th anniversary
More than 10 000 children helped since 1985
SOS Children's Villages has placed a growing emphasis on family strengthening programmes, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that children grow up in their own communities.
SOS Children's Villages recently marked nearly four decades of service since the opening of the first children's village in Windhoek in 1985.Since then, SOS Children’s Villages has provided residential care for children who have lost parental support, in addition to essential services like early childhood development and health care, making a significant difference in thousands of lives.
"Since then, more than 10 000 children and young people in Namibia have benefitted from our services," said interim national director Julieta Ferreira at the 40th anniversary gala.
Over the years, the organisation has also contributed to government efforts, such as providing educational infrastructure, including the Hermann Gmeiner Technical School, now known as Coastal High.
SOS Children’s Villages has placed a growing emphasis on family-strengthening programmes.
"One of our priorities now is to ensure that children grow up in their communities," Ferreira explained. "Children grow up better when they are with their families.”
In alignment with this vision, SOS provides critical support to empower families, helping them stay together and thrive. This includes training in parenting skills, assistance with income-generating activities and providing start-up support for young entrepreneurs.
Social integration
Ferreira also stressed the organisation's commitment to new initiatives focused on deinstitutionalisation. "We are currently prioritising community-based care options, like kinship care, where children are cared for by family members," she said, a strategy that promotes resilience and social integration within communities.
She added that this shift aligns with international standards, making a case for supporting alternative care options that allow children to grow within their extended family networks whenever possible.
Amid declining international aid, SOS Children’s Villages Namibia is exploring local fundraising strategies, including digital initiatives and individual contributions from committed Namibians.
"This is a local organisation that needs the support of all Namibians," Ferreira stressed.
She believes the community's involvement will be crucial in sustaining SOS’s mission to prevent family separation and support youth in becoming self-reliant.
The goal, Ferreira said, is a Namibia where SOS is no longer needed as a last-resort caregiver. "Ideally, we want to ensure that families can care for their children."
In this vision, SOS would focus solely on supporting families to be the caregivers their children need, reinforcing a future where children remain connected to their roots.