Child sponsorship background from Meulaboh, Indonesia

SOS Children's Village Meulaboh

On the morning of 26 December 2004, a tsunami caused by an earthquake with the epicentre near Banda Aceh struck the coastal areas of the Indian Ocean.

More than 130,000 people died in Indonesia, even more lost their homes and thousands of children were separated from their parents.  The 200 km coast line between the cities of Banda Aceh and Meulaboh was the worst affected area. Meulaboh is the capital of the district of Aceh Barat (West Aceh).

SOS Children's Village Meulaboh is situated at Lapang Village, Cot Nibong Street, about 3.5 km from the city centre and about 6 km from the sea shore. 

It consists of a number of family houses, the village director's house, a community centre (administration and a medical room), an activity centre (computers, library, music, dance), a multi-purpose hall and different co-workers' residences.  SOS Children's Village Meulaboh offers a new home for orphaned or abandoned children.  Since the people in Aceh Province are 98% Muslims, a mosque was set up at the SOS Children's Village.

Other SOS Projects in Meulaboh

Furthermore, there is an SOS Nursery School which is also open to children from the local community.  The older children attend public schools, which helps them to grow up just like their friends from outside the SOS Children's Village.

The SOS Social Centre offers family strengthening, health counselling, community support, counselling and psychological support.  The programmes are designed to ensure that children have access to essential services, such as education, health services and psycho-social support. Families are assisted with income generation.  They also receive help when dealing with the authorities. People's parental skills and awareness of children's rights are improved.

Background to Meulaboh

Meulaboh is the capital of West Aceh Regency, Indonesia and was one of the hardest hit areas by 2004 Tsunami. Being just 150 km from the epicenter of the earthquake, Meulaboh was hit by tsunami, leaving thousands dead.  Meulaboh is about 245 km southeast of Banda Aceh, the capital of Aceh province.  Meulaboh is located in western part Sumatra island.