Chimoio is the capital city of Manica province, which stretches along the central region of Mozambique and borders Zimbabwe in the west.
It is one of the provinces having suffered most during the years of civil war and has one of the country's highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates.
This results in large numbers of orphaned children; about 5,000 orphans currently live in Chimoio.
The government clearly expressed interest in having an SOS Children's Village in Chimoio established, and the local municipality was also very supportive. Moreover, SOS Children's Village Chimoio has received support from internationally renowned novelist Henning Mankell, who has been splitting his time between Sweden and Mozambique for many years.
Having worked in Manica province years ago, he is well-aware of the challenges this particular region is facing and is passionate to help the children in this province.
A suitable plot of land within a newly-planned residential area on the outskirts was donated by the local government. The architecture reflects the 'Solid, Modest and Integrated' approach of SOS Children's Villages: the family houses resemble the local building style and seamlessly fit into the neighbourhood.
SOS Children's Village Chimoio comprises eleven family houses to take in up to 110 orphaned, abandoned or neglected children, a house for the village director and an administration and service area. Both children from the SOS Children's Village and from the neighbouring community may attend the ancillary SOS Kindergarten, which bears a positive effect on the integration of the SOS Children's Village into the community. The SOS Kindergarten offers pre-school education to up to 60 children.
Kindergartens
Kindergarten students
