History of SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia 

SOS Children’s Villages started in 1949 with an innovative idea. Hermann Gmeiner, a child welfare advocate from Austria, recognized a problem: thousands of children in post-war Europe had lost their families, and orphanages presented them with the prospect of a grim institutional childhood. His solution was to develop a model of family-like care – providing children with security and a sense of belonging by building reliable and resilient relationships.

SOS Children’s Villages’ presence has grown to more than 138 countries and territories around the world. With the generous support of donors, partners and friends, SOS Children’s Villages helps hundreds of thousands of children each year through alternative care, family strengthening, schools, health centres, and other community-based work. 

As a member of SOS Children’s Villages International, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia was founded in the wake of the 1973 famine, SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia has provided childcare, protection, family strengthening, health and education services to children who have lost or at risk of losing parental care. It has provided life-saving humanitarian assistance to conflict and drought-affected people, especially women and children. SOS Children’s Villages is operational in seven regional states, including Tigray, Addis Ababa, Amhara, Harari, Oromia, SNNP and Somali.