Child Sponsorship Background from Port Elizabeth, South Africa

SOS Children's Village Port Elizabeth

The SOS Children's Village is located in Schauderville, a suburb of Port Elizabeth, and was built on the site of an orphanage for boys; these boys were the first to move in into the new SOS Children's Village in 1989. From the rocky mountain ridge one has a beautiful view over Algoa Bay. There is a choice of several different primary and two secondary schools for the children from the SOS Children's Village. There is also a big hospital nearby. In 1992, the SOS Children's Village Port Elizabeth was officially opened by Helmut Kutin, president of SOS Children's Villages International.

The SOS Children's Village consists of thirteen family houses to take in up to 130 children, an administration and service area, a multi-purpose hall 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).

Other SOS Projects in Port Elizabeth

An SOS Nursery is part of the SOS Children's Village as well; it comprises four group rooms and a playground and can accommodate up to 100 children. In order to meet the needs of the growing number of youths who had outgrown the SOS Children's Village, an SOS Youth Home was established in 1994, where up to 16 youths can stay during higher education or vocational training and prepare themselves for an independent life.

Since 2002, an SOS Social Centre has been co-ordinating an HIV/AIDS community-based child care and support programme. HIV/AIDS affected families receive material and medical support, education and counselling and they are supported with income generating activities. Moreover, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns are organised.

Background to Port Elizabeth

Port Elizabeth is one of the largest cities in South Africa, situated in the Eastern Cape Province, 770 km east of Cape Town. The city, nicknamed "The Friendly City" or "The Windy City", stretches for 16 km along Algoa Bay, and is one of the major seaports in South Africa.

The effects of the apartheid regime were not lost on Port Elizabeth. Forced relocation of the non-white population under the Group Areas Act began in 1962, causing various townships to be built. The whole of the South End district, being a prime real estate location, was forcibly depopulated and flattened in 1965; relocations continued until 1975.