Established in 1964, SOS Children’s Villages India is a pioneer in providing alternative care to children who have lost parental care or are at the risk of losing it. We reach out to 45,000 children every year through our 31 SOS villages and community outreach projects.
Our Thematic Intervention Areas:
Ø Quality Education
Ø Health & Nutrition
Ø Youth Engagement
Ø Fostering Children Participation
Ø Women Empowerment
Ø Livelihood
Ø Caring for Special Needs Children
Ø Emergency response
Our Programme :- Basket of Care Products .
Family based Care Model (SOS Children’s Village): It is a curative model catering to children who have lost parental care for various reasons. We provide personalized care to over 7,000 children in 31 locations by offering them a home, a mother, siblings and a community. The biological siblings are kept together as well as their rights and identity (lineage and inheritance wherein known) is also protected. Thus, we play a significant role of being a custodian guardian to parentless children until they are integrated in society as independent, contributing individuals.
Family Strengthening Programme (FSP): It is a preventive model catering to over 38,000 children who are at the risk of losing parental care. We reach out to vulnerable families (single mothers, widows, children-headed households).Strategy for implementation of this program are as mentioned below
Ø the socio-economic empowerment of women and youth leading to their self-reliance;
Ø ensuring children get access to quality education, healthcare, empowering, and strengthening communities to protect children’s rights.
SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGE KOLKATA
SOS Children’s Village in Kolkata was established in 1977 as a result of the sincere efforts of Mr. A.L. Dias, the then Governor of West Bengal and a few committed social workers.
The Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 saw a mass exodus of people from East Pakistan (territory of Pakistan before birth of Bangladesh) to India, particularly to West Bengal. In the chaos that followed the war, many children became homeless & orphaned. A registered Society namely SOS Children’s Villages, West Bengal, India, was then formed to provide care to these children. The then Governor of West Bengal Mr A.L. Dias was named ex-officio President, and eminent social workers, educationists, administrators and industrialists of the city as members of the Society.
On 28 February 1977, the SOS Children’s Village Kolkata started functioning with 16 children from a Government run reception center of the State of West Bengal. Mrs. Joan Dias Inaugurated the Children’s Village Kolkata on 17th September 1977. The Village was dedicated by Dr. Hermann Gmeiner on 21st January 1978.
At present, SOS Children’s Village Kolkata has 131 children under the care of loving SOS Mothers and SOS Aunts. Children are welcomed warmly in the SOS Village and all necessary efforts are made to help them adjust with their family and environment.
The academic performance of children under our facility has seen rapid improvement and growth with respect to their scores. The pass percentage of children giving their board examinations in class X and XII now goes up to 100%. Apart from the regular studies, added training and coaching is provided to children to enhance their English speaking skills. Various workshops and seminars are also organized to spread awareness among children on social issues like Child Protection Policy, Cyber Crime, and Road Safety etc.
SOS YOUTH
At present, the total number of youth under our facility is 77. While many of our youth are still studying in school, the rest are in college. Youth in SOS Village Kolkata are involved in sectors like Cruise Management, Hospital Management and many others, where they work full time. The ones who are still in school perform well in studies and have also scored brilliantly in their X and XII board examinations. Various sessions on topics like sex education, importance of health and hygiene in one’s life, HIV/AIDS Awareness are organized in the village to keep our children updated with the ongoing issues in society.
FAMILY STRENGTHENING PROGRAMME (FSP)
The Family Strengthening Programme in Kolkata was initiated to help vulnerable families come out of the vicious circle of poverty. At present, the FSP in Kolkata renders support to over 1100 beneficiaries.
Livelihood income generating activities are undertaken for families in order to improve their overall standard of living. The FSP ensures active participation from all communities and its members in the training and coaching sessions organized by SOS India. Skill development of the beneficiaries is focused upon by FSP and its workers to help families become capable to involve themselves in income generating activities in their daily life; this will lead to ensuring their survival in future.
The aim of the FSP is to help families reach self-reliance. Once a family becomes self-sufficient, they exit the programme and is replaced by another new such family.
Project Udaan
Project Udaan is an initiative by SOS Children’s Villages of India under its Family Strengthening Programme to empower women caregivers from vulnerable families in Kolkata. The project aims to equip 150 women with sustainable livelihood skills and support, thereby positively impacting over 300 children at risk of losing parental care. Through education support, livelihood enhancement, and community capacity building, the project seeks to break the cycle of poverty and ensure a happy, secure childhood for these children. Academic support classes and teaching materials will help prevent school dropouts and improve learning outcomes. Livelihood interventions, including self-help group formation, micro-enterprise support, and market linkages, will enable women to achieve financial independence. Capacity-building workshops, health and nutrition awareness, and Bal Panchayat activities will foster stronger, child-friendly communities. The programme will work in close partnership with local schools, government agencies, and community leaders to ensure holistic development. With a recommended duration of 3–5 years, the project aims for lasting impact through a cluster-based, community-driven model. Total proposed budget for the first year is ₹30,30,000, covering education, livelihood, community mobilization, monitoring, and administration. Ultimately, Project Udaan envisions empowered women, resilient families, and children thriving in a nurturing environment.
Project Udaan, by SOS Children’s Villages of India under its Family Strengthening Programme, aims to empower 150 women caregivers from vulnerable families in Kolkata with livelihood skills, benefiting 300+ children at risk. Through education support, skill-building, and community capacity development, it seeks to break poverty cycles, ensure secure childhoods, and create resilient families.
Help us raise funds for our specific needs.
Project Udaan
Impact 360 Foundation, FE-68, Sector III, Salt Lake Rd, Near Central Park, Karunamoyee, Kolkata, West Bengal 700106, India
Phone Numbers-+91-9903894994 , +91-8436063099
Email: tsw25k@impact360.org.in