Child Sponsorship Background from Kotayk, Armenia

SOS Children's Village in Kotayk

SOS Children's Village Kotayk consists of thirteen family houses, an SOS Nursery School, a house for the village director, an administration and service area and a workshop.

In spring 1998, an Armenian artist decorated some of the family houses together with the children. The children participated enthusiastically and since then, colourful paintings cover the walls of the plain and unadorned pre-fabricated houses.

The themes of the paintings are "1,700 years of Christianity in Armenia" and "50 years of SOS Children".

Other SOS Projects in Kotayk

The adjoining SOS Nursery School comprises five group rooms, a multipurpose room, a room for gymnastics and a small kitchen, and has a capacity for up to 100 children. T

he SOS Nursery School has an excellent reputation, proven every year by the high demand for places for children from neighbouring community and even those from the city of Yerevan. Music and painting classes are offered, as well as language courses. In order to offer special assistance to poor families, it was decided to only charge them a symbolic nursery school fee.

Additionally, an SOS Youth Home consisting of two houses was set up in the city of Yerevan for the youths who had outgrown the SOS Children's Village. The construction of a third youth house became necessary due to the growing number of teenagers at SOS Children's Village Kotayk.

The youths stay there during their vocational training or further education and prepare for an independent life under the guidance of their youth leaders. They are looked after until they are able to live on their own. The Family Strengthening Programme offers access to essential services for children’s development (eg. educational, nutritional and medical support, social skills) and supports families to protect and care for their children. The programme also aims at linking families with income generating activities and offers help to improve the parents’ parenting skills.

Background to Kotayk

Kotayk is situated about fifteen kilometres north of Yerevan, the Armenian capital. The plot of land measures about six hectares and was given to SOS Children's Villages by the local authorities free of charge. It is perfectly integrated into the public supply system.

Kotayk is one of the provinces of Armenia and is in the centre of the country. Its capital is Hrazdan. It is well known for its tourist destinations, especially during the Winter months when its ski resort comes alive.