Child Sponsorship Background from Amman, Jordan

SOS Children's Village Amman

SOS Children's Village Amman opened its gates in May 1987 and was officially inaugurated by King Hussein and Queen Noor on 7 May 1987. It consists of sixteen family houses, where up to 108 children can find a new home. There is also the village director's house, a house for the so-called SOS aunts (SOS mother trainees or family helpers who support the SOS mothers during their daily work and fill in for them when they are ill or on leave), an administration and service area, a guesthouse for co-workers, and a home for retired SOS mothers.

The children can learn how to use a computer at the village's computer lab. The SOS Children's Village has its own supermarket, where produce from the SOS farm is sold.

Other SOS Projects in Amman

SOS Children's Village Amman also includes two SOS Youth Homes (rented flats) for boys, an SOS Youth Home for girls, an SOS Nursery School and an SOS Vocational Training Centre.

The SOS Youth Homes were opened in January 1993 and accommodate up to 51 youngsters from the SOS Children's Village. With only one educator to take care of them, the youngsters are quite independent and have to take responsibility for their lives. For youngsters from the SOS Children's Villages, moving to an SOS Youth Home is usually the first step towards an independent life.

SOS mothers, educators and village directors prepare the youngsters very carefully for this important step in their lives. Young people usually stay at the SOS Youth Home until they have finished their education or training and found a job. There are separate SOS Youth Homes for girls and boys. In Jordan, some youngsters also share flats rented by SOS Children's Villages. An educator looks after them, too.

The SOS Nursery School was opened in May 1986. It is attended by children from the SOS Children's Village and by children from the local community. In its four classrooms, up to 100 children can be taken care of. There is also an assembly hall, a kitchen, an office and, of course, a playground, where the children can romp around and have fun.

In order to be able to train its SOS mothers and other co-workers, SOS Children's Villages Jordan opened an SOS Vocational Training Centre in 2003. There are regular training courses for all co-workers.

Background to Amman

Amman is the capital city of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and has a population of 2.1 million.  It is also the administrative capital and commercial centre of Jordan. The city's population continues to expand at a rapid pace fuelled by refugees escaping the events in the neighbouring countries.