Child Sponsorship background from Dakar, Senegal

SOS Children's Village Dakar

SOS Children's Village Dakar was built in the suburbs of the metropolis Dakar and is about ten kilometres from the centre of town. The 15 family houses, which can accommodate up to 150 children, were built around a baobab tree that is in the middle of the SOS Children's Village. The village has an administration building, a village director's house and flats for employees.

Other SOS Projects in Dakar

An SOS Nursery was also opened at the same time as the SOS Children's Village in July 1977 and is located on the same site. It was built for preschool children and for children from the SOS Children's Village as well as from the neighbourhood. It has five classrooms and has a capacity of 150 children.

In 1995, an SOS Youth Home was also built on the site, within the context of the programme to integrate the children into society and working life, which is intended to encourage the young people to become independent. The home has a house with three flats: one for the home director's office, one for the caregivers and one for the young people. The youth home offers space for up to 150 young people and makes it easier for them to become independent. They have the use of four bedrooms, a communal kitchen and a lounge, which is also used as a dining room.

Background to Dakar

Dakar is the capital city of Senegal, located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula, on the country's Atlantic coast. It is Senegal's largest city. Its position, on the western edge of Africa (it is the westernmost city on the African mainland), is an advantageous departure point for trans-Atlantic and European trade; this fact aided its growth into a major regional port.

According to December 31, 2005 official estimates, the city of Dakar proper has a population of 1,030,594, and the population of the Dakar metropolitan area is estimated at 2.45 million people.

Dakar is a major administrative centre, home to the National Assembly of Senegal and Senegal's President's Palace.