Child Sponsorship Background from Ibagué, Colombia

SOS Children's Village Ibagué

The construction of the SOS Children's Village in Ibagué started in 1985, after a devastating volcanic eruption buried the city of Armero in an avalanche of mud. Ibagué is the capital of the province of Tolima and is located about 50 km south of the disaster area and 200 km from the capital, Bogotá.

The SOS Children's Village was built on a site of approximately five hectares, and opened in October 1987. It consists of18  family houses which provide over 160 children with a new home. Furthermore, a village director's house, a house for the so-called SOS aunts (SOS Children’s Village mothers in training, who assist SOS mothers and substitute them in the case of illness or during holidays), an administrative building, a community house, sports facilities, and a swimming pool are all to be found on the site of the SOS Children's Village.

Other SOS Projects in Ibagué

In 1997, an SOS Youth Home including three youth communities and youth counselling was set up in the city. It accommodates up to 24 youths from the SOS Children's Village. Young people usually move from the SOS Children's Village to an SOS Youth Home when they start a vocational training course or go on to higher education. With the support of qualified youth workers, the young people develop realistic perspectives for their future, learn to shoulder responsibility and increasingly make their own decisions. They are encouraged to develop team spirit and build up contacts with relatives and friends, as well as with the relevant authorities and potential employers. 

An SOS Primary and Secondary School for up to 475 children from both the SOS Children's Village and from the local neighbourhood, and the village, were constructed simultaneously. The school comprises 14 classrooms, three labs for physics and chemistry, and an administrative unit for the school management.

Background to Ibagué

Founded in 1550 by Spaniard Andrés López de Galarza, Ibagué is the capital of the department of Tolima in Colombia. Ibagué is widely regarded as the "Musical City of Colombia" due to its commitment for the improvement of musical education in the country and its rich schedule of musical events during the year.  The total population of the municipality of Ibagué (including urban and rural zones) is around half a million people.