Tadjourah

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Djibouti).

Tadjourah is a small port city of around 15,000 inhabitants and is the capital of Tadjourah Region. Not very many people live in the area as the majority of the population lives in the capital of Djibouti. Most people here are pastoral farmers and their lives are full of difficulties: drought and the high prices of staple foods have led to malnutrition, particularly among children and pregnant women.

Since 2011, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Tadjourah.

1 in 3
Children under five are malnourished in Djibouti

Many families lack food

Like most areas of Djibouti, Tadjourah suffers from severe water shortages. As a result, fertile land is limited and many families do not always have enough food. Djibouti has one of the world's highest levels of malnutrition for children, particularly among those under the age of five living in rural areas like the Tadjourah region. According to some estimates, about one third of all children suffer from the effects of malnutrition including stunted growth.

31%
Of children without parental care attend school

Children missing out on an education

In rural areas like the Tadjourah Region, education facilities are severely lacking and tuition fees are high. Although children without parental care are exempt from school fees, only 31 per cent of them attend school regularly. Girls in particular are at a disadvantage when it comes to education, because their help in the home and with younger siblings is often considered more important than their education. Furthermore, about 70 per cent of the total population is illiterate, most of whom are women.

Your support makes a difference for children in Tadjourah

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
80
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
30
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
Sisters playing together and having fun. We work to ensure that brothers and sisters can grow up together (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Djibouti).

How your support helps in Tadjourah

Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.
Supporting young people to become independent
To help young people become confident and independent, our local team works closely with each young person to develop a plan for their future. We support young people and also help them prepare for the labour market and increase their employment prospects. For example, young people can attend workshops and trainings run by SOS Children’s Villages. They also improve their skills through taking part in different projects with local mentors and businesses.