Campaign Story

SOS Children’s Village Waterfalls is in the Waterfalls suburb of Harare. SOS Children’s Villages first began its work in the Waterfalls suburb of Harare in 1989. The organisation helps the children with:

Strengthening families: The home has a family strengthening program so as to reach as many struggling families as possible. The aim is to alleviate hardship and maintain family stability so that children will be safe and protected and grow up in a loving home. The social centers ensure that children have access to essential health and nutritional services, as well as education. We assist parents by providing guidance on income-generating skills and parenting practices, as well as counselling and psychological support where needed. Our support goes out especially to adults and children who have been affected by HIV/AIDS. The home also works in co-operation with local organisations towards strengthening the support systems for vulnerable families within the community.

Care in SOS families: For children from the region who are no longer able to live with their parents. SOS families can provide a loving home for up to 100 children. In each family, the children live with their brothers and sisters, affectionately cared for by their SOS parents.

Education: The children attend the SOS Kindergarten in Waterfalls together with other children from the neighbourhood. This is designed to ensure that they are integrated into the local community from a young age. The children then go on to complete their primary education at the SOS school, which is attended by around 840 pupils.

Support for young people: When young people who grew up in an SOS family feel ready to move out of the family home in order to pursue further education or vocational training, our SOS Youth Programme continues to support them as they make the transition into adulthood.