Trichur, Kerala

SOS Children's Village Trichur

Construction of SOS Children's Village Trichur in the southern state of Kerala began in 1982.  The first children moved into their new homes in the following year.  The SOS Children's Village is located about 15 km outside the city on land which was donated to SOS by the city's archbishop.  Trichur is an important cultural and trading centre of the state.  It is situated in a fertile agricultural area. 

SOS Children's Village Trichur consists of 17 family houses, staff accommodation, a multi-purpose hall and the necessary administration and service area.

Other SOS Projects in Trichur

The smaller children are looked after at the SOS Nursery School, which is also open to children from local families.  In two group rooms, up to 80 children can be taken care of.  There is also a playground, where the children can romp around and have fun.  The sick bay at the SOS Children's Village provides basic medical care for the inhabitants of the village and the population of the neighbourhood.

In 1997, an SOS Youth Home was opened at Trichur.  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.

In 2003, SOS Children's Villages India launched its family strengthening programmes in Trichur.  These programmes are intended to support families at risk of abandoning their children and to encourage families to stay together.  SOS Children's Villages therefore works with local authorities and other service providers to support families and enable them to take good care of their children. 

The Trichur family strengthening programme provides nutritional, educational and health support as well as vocational training, career counselling sessions and job placement support.  Families are linked with existing self-help groups; if there is no group, a new one is formed.  The programme also aims at raising awareness of hygiene and child rights and improving people's parenting skills.

Background to Trichur

Trichur is a city situated in central Kerala, India and is the headquarters of Thrissur District.  Also called Thrissur, the  city is known as the 'Cultural Capital of Kerala' as well as being a major financial and commercial hub with a population of more than three million people.   Famous for the Thrissur Pooram, a festival which runs from April to May, Trichur also has a large number of well-known temples.