Supporting vulnerable families

Across the world, your support has enabled us to support fragile families to allow children to grow up in a safe environment with their natural parents. Sponsor a child, donate online or hold a fundraising event to allow us to give more children the best possible start in life.

See the difference

What is family strengthening?

At SOS Children we reach out into local communities through our Family Strengthening Programmes (FSPs). Working with the wider community enables us to reach beyond the children in our Children's Villages and help many thousands more. Our FSPs offer specific support to some of the most vulnerable members of society, including child- and grandparent headed families and those affected by HIV/AIDS.

Programmes vary depending on the needs in different areas, but often include practical training for adults, counselling, social support, microloans and income generating activities. By helping people to help themselves, we support communities' long-term development, reduce poverty and strengthen families to prevent the abandonment of children.

Beronika's Self Help Group in India

SOS Children helps to set up Community Self Help Groups for women who want to take control of their lives, save money, and take financial responsibility. Financial knowledge and IT literacy help these women to improve their own lives and the future of their communities.

Beronika lives in Pradhanpalli near the SOS Children's Village Rourkela in India. She is part of the Family Strengthening Programme there. Beronika is separated from her alcoholic husband, and cares for her two children and her bed-ridden elderly mother.

SOS Children is determined to protect children and help their families to give them a secure and loving home. The programme has helped Beronika to build up her self confidence and become the breadwinner for her family. She was introduced to a Self Help Group and started selling vegetables at the market. With regular assistance in income-generation and management skills, Beronika has started expanding her vegetable business.

Today, both her children attend school and she is happy with their progress.
'SOS Children has given me and my children a new life', she says. The monthly meetings and workshops Beronika attends focus on children's rights, healthy living conditions and good parenting skills through a family-community interface. The Family Strengthening Programme ensures educational, nutritional, health and psycho-social support for her family.

Other women in her group look up to Beronika, admiring her enthusiasm and ambitions. She is seen as an idealistic working woman who has emerged successful in spite of all her previous troubles.