Child Sponsorship background from Kandalaksha, Russia
SOS Children's Village Kandalaksha
In 1998, SOS Children's Villages carried out an aid programme, providing 2,600 children in orphanages or with foster parents with winter clothing and hygiene articles. A suitable plot of land for building the fourth Russian SOS Children's Village was found in Luvenga, a suburb of Kandalaksha and a typical workers' district. The property is well integrated into the local community and is connected to the public supply system. Publicly-run nurseries and schools are located within walking distance.
The official opening ceremony took place on 15 August 2004 in the presence of Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, representatives of the Russian government and numerous other honorary guests.
SOS Children's Village Kandalaksha consists of four rows of three terraced houses each and offers a home to twelve SOS families. Besides, a communal building, an administration area, a workshop and houses for the village director and the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave) are part of SOS Children's Village Kandalaksha. Up to 84 children can be accommodated. A sports field was created outside the SOS Children's Village which can be used by children both from the SOS Children's Village and from the neighbourhood.