Frequently Asked Questions

Here you can find some questions and answers regarding various aspects of our work. Following the input we receive from our visitors, this questions list will constantly grow.

What is the meaning of SOS, is it the same as Save Our Soul?

The acronym SOS was obtained from a German word ‘Societal Socialise’, meaning ‘A just society where every child has equal opportunity’.

When and how was SOS Children’s Villages founded?

SOS Children’s Villages was founded by Hermann Gmeiner in 1949 to provide long-term support to children who had lost their homes or families in the Second World War by offering them a new family environment

In Nigeria, SOS Children’s Villages has been active since 1973, and has presence in Isolo-Lagos, Owu-Ijebu, Ogun State, Gwagwalada-Abuja, Jos-Plateau State, Ibadan-Oyo State and Kaduna-Kaduna. Over the past years we have provided quality child care and protection to orphaned and abandoned children that grow up in SOS Children’ Villages Family Based and Family Strengthening Programmes

Based on the latest "SOS Children's Villages Programme Policy" document, how would you define SOS Children’s Villages as an organisation?

SOS Children’s Villages is a service provider. Its main aim is to offer the possibility of creating a family environment to care for children across the world living in difficult circumstances.