Oroshaza

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

Orosháza, with around 31,000 inhabitants, is a city situated in the westernmost part of Békés county. The town is an important cultural, educational, and recreational centre in south-eastern Hungary. The unemployment rate in the region is higher than in other parts of Hungary, and especially high in rural areas. Most people live off farming but the town of Oroshaza has become an industrial centre; there are factories making glass and building agricultural equipment.

Since 1986, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Oroshaza.

7,000
Children are in institutional care

Isolated and deprived

In Hungary, when a family faces hardship, or is living in extreme poverty, the Hungarian child protection system will not support the family to stay together. Their solution is to take the child away from the family and into care. While there have been significant improvements in the state care of children with a move away from institutions, over 7,000 children still live in institutional care, and over 2,200 of them live with disabilities live in care. Receiving little to no education, as well as facing the impact of poor treatment, these children are left without adequate skills and support for life outside the institutions.

2 in 5
Roma face material deprivation

Marginalized and vulnerable

Roma communities have been particularly affected by the economic and social changes of recent decades. They continue to face discrimination in aspects such as employment, education, and housing. Of Hungarians facing severe material deprivation, more that 43% of them are Roma. Children on the move are at great risk of the consequences of poverty including poor nutrition, poor health and well-being, gender inequality, school absence and child labour.

Your support makes a difference for children in Oroshaza

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.
60
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
8
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
At a family day, children enjoyed having their face painted (photo: SOS Children’s Villages Hungary).

How your support helps in Oroshaza

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. The children are cared for by foster families that are selected and trained by us, and who receive continuous support. The children live in different neighbourhoods in the town, alongside local families. 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.