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60 Years: 1949-2009 

In 2009 SOS Children's Villages celebrates it's 60 year anniversary.

Read more about our start and progress to become the worlds largest orphaned child focused charity.
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The Start 1949

Born into a large Austrian farm family in 1919, Hermann Gmeiner experienced the horrors of World War II. 1949 - The Early Days

1950's Europe

In 1953 France saw a need and in 1956 Germany too saw the advantages of SOS Children's Villages 1950's across Europe

1960's Asia

Gmeiner was in Korea responding to a plea to help orphans from the Korean war 1960's Helping Asia

1960's South America

SOS started in Ecuador in South America, but Brazil now has 58 SOS Villages. 1960's South American

1970's Central America

Political instability and natural disasters leaves orphans without homes or families 1960's - Central America Need

1970's Africa

Starting in Côte d’Ivoire we moved across the continent assisting where orphans and nations need assistance. 1970's into Africa

1980's Middle East

Conflict and instability requires solutions to help the orphaned children in the middle east, unfortunately conflict also meant maintaining consistent presence has been a challenge. 1980 Middle East need grows

1990s & beyond - Building our presence in North America
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