How can you contribute?
Think about it – what could you do with 15 euros each month?
For 15 euros, you could enjoy a movie night, buy a new shirt, or indulge in a tasty snack. But with a monthly donation of 15 euros, you can help change a child's life, providing them with the chance to grow up in a loving family.
You can start anytime and continue throughout the year – become a regular donor and help children thrive in caring families!
What are SOS Children's Villages?
SOS Children's Villages is a non-governmental organization dedicated to creating families for children who have lost the care of their biological parents. We firmly believe that every child should have the opportunity to grow up in a nurturing family.
Currently, 120 children and young people are growing up in two SOS children's villages – Īslīce and Valmiera. Most SOS families reside within these villages, while several SOS families also live outside in places like Iecava, Valmiera, and Valka.
Furthermore, our specialists at SOS family support centers provide support to over 1,200 children throughout Latvia each year. Through our years of work, we've realized the significance of working with families facing social risks. By strengthening these families' abilities to care for their children, we can prevent situations where children need to be separated from their parents and seek alternative care options.
What is an SOS Mom?
SOS moms are the heart of SOS village families. Without their dedication, warmth, sleepless nights, and early mornings, the SOS family wouldn't be complete. Typically, each SOS family is led by an SOS mom, and they care for four to seven children. Often, these children are biological siblings.
Becoming an SOS mom is a tremendous responsibility and an act of courage. It means dedicating your life to providing a safe and loving environment for children who had to leave their biological families for various reasons. Time, the most precious gift we can offer, is given unconditionally – seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. From first teeth to first steps, from first words to first days of school – the joys and challenges of parenting never cease, reminding us that real life is filled with ups and downs, and we're there together through it all.
Each SOS mom is an ordinary person and an extraordinary guardian angel, drawing upon their life experiences for this mission.
"I've defined my mission in the SOS Children's Village family: to show these children that there's a better way to live. Whether they accept it is up to them. We all understand they've had a tough past, so here they experience a new, healthy, and normal family life. I've never called myself mom, but that's what they call me." – Anda, SOS mom.
"On Valentine's Day, we placed a mailbox in the village library. The children didn't think it would fill up, but they were surprised when it did. I also prepared a special message for each child, and they were overjoyed. One of my sons personally handed me a letter. As I read it, tears welled up. It said I was the best mom in the world. Reading those words makes me realize the immense responsibility I have toward these children." – Anita, SOS mom.
"I specialize in delivering doses of love – through cuddles, care, and the vital physical connection that assures a child they are loved. I believe that a child can only flourish in an atmosphere of love or at least in a place where they feel calm and safe." – Kristina, SOS mom.
Your regular donation will assist SOS foster families in covering crucial everyday expenses, such as:
- Purchasing daily essentials for children and nurturing their talents.
- Enabling children's education and extracurricular activities.
- Providing necessary specialist consultations for children.
For a large SOS family with six children, 100 euros can fund a trip to the cinema in Riga. It's not an everyday occurrence, but these special moments like water park visits, festive celebrations, and birthdays require additional expenses. Yet, these are the unforgettable memories that make up a child's childhood. Your support ensures children have a secure future, grow up respectfully in SOS families, receive essential therapy, and enjoy these special, joy-filled moments.
No matter the amount – whether it's 5, 10, 15 euros per month, or more – your donation helps children grow and experience a happier childhood. There's no such thing as giving too little when you give from the heart.
Support SOS families and contribute to a brighter childhood!