Women at the centre of SOS Children’s Villages in Zimbabwe

The creation of SOS Children’s Villages was inspired by the real-life strength of a young girl who, at just 14 years old, took on the responsibility of raising her seven younger siblings after losing her parents. Her resilience and caregiving became the early model for what would evolve into the role of the SOS mother.

SOS mothers are at the heart of each SOS Children’s Village. In every location, an SOS mother dedicates her life to providing hope, security, and a sense of belonging to children who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. These caregivers support children into adulthood and often stay in touch long after they have moved on. Today, nearly 6,000 SOS mothers care for more than 78,000 children and young people worldwide – around 38,000 of them are girls and young women.

“My SOS mum is my real mum. She's the one who made me what I am today. She's the one who believes in me and supports me. She's the one who loves me. I love my mum with all my heart,” says Plamen, who grew up under the care of a loving SOS mother in SOS Children's Villages in Trjavna, Bulgaria.

An SOS mother for 24 years, Mama Fadia illustrates the important role SOS mothers play in a child’s development by providing a safe, loving home to grow up in. 

“My calling in life is to be a mother. In my 24 years here, I realized that I need children and they need mothers. When a child calls me mom, and I call him or her my child, it fills me with deep emotion. I found this emotion at SOS Children’s Villages, living and experiencing the powerful relationship of being a mother,” says Mama Fadia.

Mama Fadia also acknowledges the important role of SOS Children’s Villages. “Without SOS Children’s Villages, these kids would be lost”, she says. “Without food, a loving home, a mother, and education, they would be lost. These are basic needs in life. These are the things that help a child differentiate between right and wrong. Without a parent to direct them, they might get caught up with bad friends or resort to stealing in order to get these basic needs.”

Salama Juma Ali has also been an SOS mother in Zanzibar for the past 24 years. When asked why she chose to become an SOS mother, she replied, “I chose to be an SOS mother because I wanted to help disadvantaged children. Orphaned and abandoned children lack the means and ability to support themselves. And, I wanted to be the person who would give them love and joy.”

SOS Children’s Villages also recognizes the importance of education for women and girls. SOS Children’s Villages has expanded access to quality education at all levels for more than 206,000 children and youth, including nearly 100,000 girls and young women.

Since 2012, SOS Children’s Villages Zimbabwe has run a project entitled “Gender sensitive communities make stronger families for children.” This project aims to promote access to education for girls, knowing that “the more girls we educate, the more their own children are educated. Eventually, it becomes an entire community of educated and stronger families.” 

Nonetheless, emphasis on women and girls must continue as barriers to health care, education, and jobs loom high.

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.