SOS Children’s Villages began its work in Gulu in 2002. In recent years, we have expanded our family strengthening programme in the region so as to reach as many struggling families as possible. The aim is to alleviate hardship and maintain family stability so that children will be safe and protected and grow up in a loving home.

The SOS Social Centre in Gulu ensures that children have access to essential health and nutritional services, as well as education. We assist parents by providing guidance on income-generating skills and parenting practices, as well as counselling and psychological support where needed.

 

In cooperation with local organisations, we also work towards strengthening the support systems for vulnerable families within the community.

The SOS Medical Centre treats between 60 and 80 patients a day, providing basic medical care as well as preventive medical services such as vaccinations. All services are open to the community, enabling many people to receive treatment who could otherwise not afford it.

 

For children from the region who are no longer able to live with their parents, twelve SOS families can provide a loving home for up to 120 children. In each family, the children live with their brothers and sisters, affectionately cared for by their SOS mother.

The children attend the SOS Kindergarten in Gulu together with children from the neighbourhood, which ensures that they are integrated into the local community from a young age. The children then go on to complete their primary education at the school that we run here.

 

Once young people reach an age where they are ready to move out of their SOS family home in order to pursue further education or vocational training, the SOS Youth Programme continues to support them throughout their transition into adulthood.

They live together and, with the guidance of an SOS educator, they learn to take responsibility and prepare for independent life.