Child Sponsorship background from Rio Bonito, Brazil

SOS Children's Village Rio Bonito

SOS Children's Village Rio Bonito opened its gates in December 1980. It was built on a wooded hill in the Rio Bonito suburb south of São Paulo. It is about an hour's drive from the city centre and is situated between two dams. The area of the two reservoirs has become a recreational area for the people who live in the big city. From one side of the SOS Children's Village, there is a beautiful view of the valley with its recreational facilities.

SOS Children's Village Rio Bonito consists of eleven family houses, where over a hundred children can find a new home. There is also the village director's house, a house for the so-called SOS aunts (SOS mother trainees or family helpers who support the SOS mothers during their daily work and fill in for them when they are ill or on leave), and an administration and service area.

Other SOS Projects in Rio Bonito

An SOS Youth Home has been set up in the city centre. It accommodates up to twelve youths from the SOS Children's Village. Young people usually move from the SOS Children's Village to an SOS Youth Home when they start a vocational training course or go on to higher education. With the support of qualified youth workers, the young people develop realistic perspectives for their future, learn to shoulder responsibility and increasingly make their own decisions. They are encouraged to develop team spirit and build up contacts with relatives and friends, as well as with the relevant authorities and potential employers.

An SOS Social Centre offers day care for hundreds of pre-school children from the local community. There is also an SOS Primary School, where well over 100 pupils can be taught.