Photo: J. Effner
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On 9 May, a series of opening ceremonies will kick off with the inauguration of a new youth facility in the Zambian capital of Lusaka. Children from the SOS Children's Village will receive individual counselling and they will be advised on how to start an independent life as they move to the youth facility as of a certain age.
The new SOS Secondary School at the same location has been in operation since the beginning of 2005 and has become a vital educational institution for the neighbouring community, since education past the elementary level is barely available in the area and is practically unaffordable for poorer families.
Children from the SOS Children's Village, families receiving support from the SOS community outreach programmes and children from low-income families can attend the school and benefit from a wide range of subjects. The emphasis will be on practical and vocational subjects, which will provide youths as of the age of 14 with the qualifications and skills necessary for them to stand a realistic chance in the Zambian labour market. Courses will include computer training, home economics, metal and wood processing, agriculture and tailoring, complemented by general academic subjects.
The first to move into SOS Children's Village Kitwe arrived in March 2004 - Photo: SOS Archives
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For Kitwe, the capital of the Copper belt region in the north of the country, May 10 will be a day to remember, since it is on this day that President Kutin will officially open all facilities in this location. The SOS Children's Village, located 5 kilometres outside the city of 1.2 million inhabitants, started operating in March 2004, and includes a kindergarten, an elementary school, a social centre and a medical centre.
The Copper belt region experienced economic decline when the price of copper fell, and this led to gradual impoverishment of the population and therefore of the living conditions of many children. Besides the SOS Children's Village, with its 15 family houses where orphaned children are cared for, there is also a kindergarten and a school, which together meet the educational needs of the neighbouring community. The kindergarten staff is specialized in caring for traumatised children and those with learning difficulties.
The SOS Social Centre and the SOS Medical Centre mainly support families affected by AIDS and by the social and economic disadvantages which result from the immune deficiency syndrome. Those affected are offered counselling, psychological treatment and medical care; volunteers organise visits to their homes, and awareness and prevention programmes are carried out.