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SOS Villages d’Enfants Maurice

SOS Villages d’Enfants Maurice is an association dedicated to providing a loving home for every child. As part of the global SOS Children's Villages network, the organisation focuses on supporting vulnerable children who have lost parental care or are at risk of losing it. By creating stable and nurturing family environments, SOS Villages d’Enfants Maurice ensures that these children can grow up with love, respect, and security. The organisation operates through various programmes and initiatives, including children's villages, family strengthening programmes, and educational projects, all aimed at fostering the holistic development and well-being of children and their families in Mauritius.

 

Children’s Villages

Two children's villages were established in 1993 and 2003 in Beau Bassin and Bambous to accommodate vulnerable children referred to the association by the Child Development Unit (CDU).

The children's villages welcome children aged 2 to 18. Whenever possible, siblings are placed in the same family and entrusted to an SOS mother along with other children. Each family house in the children’s village can accommodate approximately five children. The children receive the care they need for their development, as well as a lot of love and attention. They are enrolled in school from pre-primary level and attend local schools. Remedial classes and vocational training are also offered.

 

In 2015, SOS Villages d’Enfants Maurice adopted a new care model aligned with UN guidelines for alternative care of children. This model involves placing children in homes integrated into the community. Mothers, "partners," and couples take care of the children entrusted to them. This innovative concept allows for a smoother integration of children into the community.

 

According to our policy, we strive to ensure that taking children out of their families is a last resort. Therefore, the reintegration of young people before they reach adulthood is overseen by our "Aftercare" department, which supports the parents of young children and young adults. Our "Aftercare" department assists biological families to ensure that children are integrated as early as possible. This helps them achieve independence and facilitates their integration into adult life (e.g., finding a home, a job).

 

Prevention of Child Abandonment and Family Support

The Family Strengthening Programme (FSP) aims to prevent situations that could lead to the abandonment or separation of children from their biological families. Established in 2004, this programme assists vulnerable families in various localities. It aims to empower families weakened by extreme poverty and insecurity. Services include educational support, parental and child awareness, youth preparation for the workforce, and advocacy. A team of professionals guides these families towards autonomy through education, awareness, vocational training, and skill development.

 

Education

SOS Villages d’Enfants Maurice strongly believes that appropriate education can break the cycle of marginalisation, poverty, violence, and family breakdown. Therefore, various teams ensure that SOS children have access to the necessary education.

 

The educational projects:

  • A preschool attached to the Beau Bassin Children’s Village.
  • The Socio-Educational Centre for Children, located in Curepipe, inaugurated in April 2011, which includes a preschool.

The Hermann Gmeiner Training Centre, which offers training courses in childcare (early childhood and preschool).

 

Accreditation Number with the National Social Inclusion Foundation: NCSRF/2017/0131

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Services offered
  • An alternative care residential programme consisting of two SOS children’s villages in Beau Bassin and Bambous as well as a system of community-integrated homes. The programme currently supports some 120 children and youth.
  • The Aftercare programme involves working with the biological families of children leaving and those who have left the alternative care with the view to facilitate their integration. The aftercare support is normally provided for a period of around two to five years depending upon the needs. The support includes assistance for education, training or renting a house, counselling, life skills development, career guidance and employability.
  • The Family Strengthening Programme (FSP) aims to prevent child abandonment and separation through educational support, parental education, vocational training and counselling and advocacy. This programme benefits over 700 children and their families.
  • SOS Villages D’Enfants Maurice runs educational projects through various initiatives – preschools, socio-educational centres and training centres.
History

SOS Villages d’Enfants is an international humanitarian organisation that is apolitical and non-religious, founded in Austria in 1949 by Hermann Gmeiner. The mission of the association is to provide orphaned, abandoned, or children separated from their parents due to severe family issues with a familial environment and the assurance of a lasting emotional and educational relationship with an SOS mother until they achieve independence.

 

Key Milestones for SOS Villages d’Enfants Maurice:

  • 1989: Received government approval to operate in Mauritius.
  • 1993: Established the first children's village in Beau Bassin.
  • 2003: Established the second children's village in Bambous.
  • 2004: Launched the Family Strengthening Programme (FSP).
  • 2011: Inaugurated the Education Learning Centre in Curepipe.
  • 2015: Established the first community-integrated home for alternative care outside the children’s village.

 

The initiative to establish an SOS Children’s Village in Mauritius was inspired by Miss Anne Marie Cheung Leung Chung (former Director of Public Prosecution and now a Roman Catholic nun), following her visit to the SOS Children’s Village in Austria. The organisation offers long-term care to children in need who have been abandoned, neglected, or have lost parental care by court order from the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development, and Family Welfare.

 

SOS Children’s Villages Mauritius continuously innovates and enhances its approach to family care, exploring relevant solutions for children in collaboration with partners and alternative caregivers. The organisation firmly believes that children thrive best within their own family environment. Therefore, SOS Children’s Villages provides ongoing support to vulnerable families and actively works on the reintegration of SOS children into their families of origin.

Objectives

Our Mission

At SOS Villages d’Enfants, we believe that children can only reach their full potential if they grow up in a family environment where they feel supported and protected. Our mission is to build families for children in need, help them shape their own futures, and contribute to the development of their communities.

 

Our Vision

Every child belongs to a family and grows up with love, respect, and security.

 

Our Values

  • Courage: We take action
  • Commitment: We keep our promises
  • Trust: We believe in each other
  • Accountability: We are reliable partners
Main achievements
  • Remedial Classes: Successfully implemented to support children’s educational needs.
  • CPE Success Rate: High success rate for children taking the Certificate of Primary Education (CPE) exams.
  • Successful Alumni: Numerous children and young people have left the SOS Villages programme and now lead stable lives with regular employment and income.
  • Community-Integrated Homes: Since 2015, homes integrated within the community have been operational, offering a more inclusive environment for children.
  • Sustainable Development Activities: Active involvement of children in sustainable development activities such as agriculture and animal husbandry, fostering a sense of responsibility and environmental awareness.
Sources of funding
  • Government grants
  • Corporate contributions through the National Social Inclusion Foundation (NSIF)
  • Generous support from both corporate and individual benefactors
  • Fundraising activities
  • Sponsorships and gifts from sponsors and individual donors