SOS Children's Villages' activities in the country
In 1970, after three years of civil war, Hermann Gmeiner visited Nigeria on the invitation of the "National Council of Women Society" (NCWS) and gained an insight on the needs of the population, particularly those of the children. After several meetings with concerned individuals of the country, the SOS Children's Village Committee under the leadership of Mrs. Awoliyi was founded, this made it possible to raise the necessary funds for the construction of an SOS Children's Village in Nigeria.
The Lagos State Government provided a piece of land in Isolo, a suburb of Lagos. Construction of the first SOS Children's Village in Nigeria was started in 1970. In early 1973, the building work was completed and the first set of children moved in. In August 1980, the national SOS Children's Village Association of Nigeria was founded as a legal entity, overseeing the SOS activities in the country.
In subsequent years, more SOS Children's Village facilities were added especially in the area of education: a kindergarten, a primary school and a vocational training centre that offers courses in various vocational areas. For the most populated country in Africa with over 130 million inhabitants and an illiteracy rate of approx. 43% education is of utmost importance. After the first set of children were admitted and had outgrown the SOS families, youth housing facilities with integration programmes were started. Due to the limited capacity of the SOS Children's Village Isolo, the need for a second SOS Children's Village in Nigeria became apparent. Consequently in 1993, the SOS Children's Village Owu-Ijebu, consisting of 12 family houses, a clinic, a kindergarten and a primary school was built. The village is located in Ogun State, approximately 145 km from Lagos. In January 1996, the first six children with their mothers and the village director moved into "their" village.
In 2003/2004, a community assistance project in the city centre of Lagos was set up which provides the community with self-help skills to master their own lives (First Aid, awareness, counselling and education, assistance for HIV/aids affected people, women's empowerment, etc.).
As per mid 2004, a family strengthening programme for needy family, especially those affected by HIV/Aids was started on both SOS Children's Village locations. In January 2006 the construction of a third SOS Children’s Village in Gwagwalada, near the capital Abuja could be started. The new Village consists of 12 Family houses, an SOS Hermann Gmeiner School, a Kindergarten and a Social Centre.
In October 2007 the first families moved in. Due to the poor neighbourhood, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria initiated a family strengthening programme. The aim is to enable children who are at risk of losing the care of their family to grow within a caring family environment. To achieve this, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria works directly with families and communities to empower them to effectively protect and care for their children, in cooperation with local authorities and other service providers.
At present, there are four SOS Children's Villages in Nigeria, four SOS Kindergartens, four SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools, one SOS Vocational Training Centre and six SOS Social Centres.
Website of SOS Children's Villages Nigeria
(available in English)