The donation will be used over a period of 25 years to build a new SOS Children’s Village and a youth home with a vocational training center in Prey Veng, Cambodia, and support activities at the SOS Children’s Village in Ratanakiri, Cambodia, including a nutrition programme for severely malnourished children.
In Ukraine, the donation will help build a new youth home in Brovary.
Mr Akelius’ foundations have previously donated more than €50 million to SOS Children’s Villages and supported programmes for vulnerable children in Gaza, the Philippines, Haiti and India. The donations also finance support programmes for vulnerable children affected by the refugee crisis in Europe and the Middle East.
“I do not know anyone who can better make use of my money than SOS Children’s Villages,” said Mr Akelius.
“Mr Akelius’ donations are investments for the future”, said Catharina Gehrke, managing director SOS Children’s Villages Sweden. “They make it possible for SOS Children’s Villages to provide vulnerable and lonely children with a home and care, and the possibility for these children to create a platform for ending poverty and loneliness, and create a sustainable, positive future for themselves.”