75 Years of Impact publication to mark 75 years of a movement

75 Years of impact publication to mark 75 years of a movement

SOS Children's Villages marks 75 years of a movement for children and young people without parental care or at risk of losing it with the release of "75 Years of Impact," a publication that explores the organization's contributions towards long-term impact in the lives of individuals and communities, and towards systemic change.  

The publication represents an update of the social impact assessment data presented in our earlier report, 70 Years of Impact, but also expands the discussion to include results from our advocacy efforts in the last two decades. A series of interviews help to illustrate impact. These include the perspectives of former programme participants, a professional caregiver, a community leader and two policymakers.

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Improving the lives of individuals

The report illustrates the impact of our services in four key ways: breaking the cycle of separation and abandonment through care, enabling self-reliance through education and employment, securing basic needs and creating the foundation for a happy life.

To highlight one: in a survey of former participants, we found that the nurturing relationship and care they received as children carries into the next generation. Overall, 92% of those who received family-like care and family strengthening told us they have strong family relationships and support networks, and effectively care for their own children.

"Now that I am already a mother, the care I experienced is also the same care that I give my child," a former programme participant from the Philippines told us.

In terms of education and employment, 84% of former participants from family-like care and 85% of former participants from family strengthening have completed their secondary or vocational training, and either had the skills to secure a decent job or were pursuing relevant qualifications.

Sireen, a care leaver from Amman, Jordan, told us: "The [care leaver employability] programme has helped me regain confidence and hope. It served as a reminder of my capabilities and reignited by determination, giving me the encouragement I needed." 

However, only 64-68% of those surveyed were earning a decent living (64% from family-like care and 68% from family strengthening). Those who did not earn enough lacked professional networks, work experience or qualification. On average, young women fared worse than young men in both education and employment, mostly because they had to stay at home due to household duties or childcare.

Seventy-two percent of former participants can meet most of their basic needs, such as accommodation, food, and health care.

Lindiwe and her family, from South Africa, suffered from severe poverty when they first joined the family strengthening programme. She was connected to social services for support and received the skills to set up her own at-home business. "I now sleep peacefully," she told us. "Life is smooth now knowing that my family is provided for.

Finally, 82% of former participants reported to be doing well in terms of their perceived social inclusion, protection, happiness and self-esteem.

Change on the community, national and international levels

Beyond our impact on individuals, the report highlights the broader systemic challenges facing children without parental care, from inadequate child protection systems to societies that still condone violence against children.  

One of our strengths is in raising community awareness of children and families at risk, as well as in strengthening local child protection mechanisms. In Guinea, for example, a partnership with Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led to a community-based initiative to improve the lives of children and families.

"Because there is now a child protection unit in our neighbourhood, there are rarely any cases of violence," says Souleymane Koliko Barry, an educator active in the project.

More broadly, our advocacy campaigns - with the participation of partners and young people - has led to changes in policies and practices on the national and international stage. SOS Children's Villages was engaged in the development of the UN Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children and the subsequent UN Resolution on the Rights of the Child.

Our advocacy work in more than hundred countries has contributed to many achievements, from reforming the child protection system in Nigeria to the 2021 passage of a law in Colombia to prohibit corporal punishment.

"When societies improve the ways in which they interact with children, they gain an investment not only in their human capital but in their economic situation, because they will have healthier, more stable and more productive cities," says Julián Peinado Ramírez, Member of the House of Representatives of Colombia.

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