SOS Children's Villages

SOS Children's Villages is the largest non-governmental organisation focused on children without parental care and families at risk. The organisation was founded in 1949 and today is present in 135 countries and territories, running more than 2,300 programmes reaching more than a million children and adults. SOS Children's Villages adheres to the principle that every child grows best in a family environment, with loving parents or caregivers, living together with their siblings, in a place they can call home. SOS Children's Villages works with communities, local partners and authorities to support disadvantaged families, thus preventing family breakdown. When necessary and when it is deemed to be in the child's best interests, there is the option for children to grow up in a foster family or in an SOS Children's Villages family. SOS Children's Villages also aims to influence decision-makers to make changes in policies and practices in order to promote the well-being of children, especially of those without parental care.