Child Sponsorship Background from Mogadishu, Somalia

SOS Children's Village Mogadishu

Mogadishu was chosen as location of the first SOS Children's Village with an adjoining SOS Nursery School because the government had provided a plot of land there. SOS Children's Village Mogadishu is situated about 9 km from the centre (in the Waharadde Estate).  It comprises twelve family houses, a village director's house, an administration and service area, a guest house, an SOS aunts' house (SOS aunts take care of the children when the SOS mothers are on leave), a sports ground and a workshop.

Other SOS Projects in Mogadishu

The SOS Nursery School consists of four group rooms, a kitchen, a play ground and side rooms.  It accommodates 120 children from the SOS Children's Village and its neighbourhood.

As soon as teenagers reach a certain age, they move to the SOS Youth Home which was built in 1994.  For the youths living in an SOS Youth Home means that the youths have a great responsibility. They live a relatively independent life and just one youth leader takes care of them. Usually, youths stay at the SOS Youth Home for up to four years.  They may stay longer, however, if they are looking for work, completing professional training or studying at a university.

Background to Mogadishu

Mogadishu is the capital and largest city in Somalia.  It is located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean and has served as an important regional port for centuries.  The central government collasped in 1991, since when Mogadishu has seen rival fighting for many years - it has become one of the most dangerous and lawless cities in the world.  Estimates put the population between 1.5 million to 3 million, though many of its former inhabitants have fled.