What we are doing in Huambo

SOS Children's Village in Huambo

SOS Children's Village Huambo is being built on a five-hectare plot on the outskirts of town. The two pieces of land - one for the SOS Children's Village, one for the SOS School - are located next to the main road to Bie. The neighbourhood is growing to be a lower middle class living area.

SOS Children's Village Huambo will comprise twelve family houses for up to 120 children, 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), a community building and a workshop. In its four playrooms, the adjoining SOS Nursery will offer pre-school education for up to 120 children.

Other SOS Projects in Huambo

The SOS School will consist of nine classrooms and two additional specialist classrooms, accommodating up to 600 primary school pupils. The SOS Medical Centre (mother and child clinic) will offer medical care and assistance to up to about 800 children and 400 adults. The SOS Social Centre has already been running its family strengthening programme since 2008, focussing on a package of services especially for HIV and AIDS affected families. In collaboration with communities and local authorities, families receive support to build their capacity to protect and care for their children (e.g. income generation, parental skills) and to gain access to essential services (e.g. education, medical care).

Background to Huambo

Huambo is the capital of Huambo province and lies about 600 kilometres southeast of Luanda, the Angolan capital. Although the Angolan economy is growing, the country has been ranking in the bottom 10 of most socio-economic indicators for years. It is estimated that more than half the population is still living below the poverty line. At the same time, more than half the population consists of children under the age of fifteen. More than one million children are believed not to have access to education or health facilities. Huambo province was largely affected by the war, making its children the most vulnerable.

Please note child sponsorships are not available at SOS Children's Village Huambo.