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"An interesting, enjoyable and beneficial event" L. Warren, Alpha One Foundation (Ireland) "Right place to meet the right people" - R. Klein, NewLab Bio Quality AG - Exhibitor (Germany) "Very worthwhile event to attend" - D. Stubbings, National BioProducts Institute (South Africa) |
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This year, PPTA is organising a charity run in conjunction with IPPC. We hope you will join us for a 1k run/walk on Wednesday, March 7 at 06:30 hours.
PPTA will donate 20 Euro for each participant to SOS Children's Villages (www.soschildrensvillages.com). For more information, please contact us.
A General Overview
 In 1949, Hermann Gmeiner founded the first SOS Children's Village in Imst in the Austrian province of Tyrol. Today, SOS Children's Villages is the largest private, non-governmental social development organisation for children. With the organisation's social commitment, the focus is on family-based long term care for orphaned and abandoned children and integrated community-based relief programmes for families in need.
World War II left a bitter legacy: thousands of orphaned, homeless and traumatised children. Hermann Gmeiner was convinced that, as opposed to traditional instutionalised care, a family-based care environment would ensure a better tomorrow for the children. This is why he would question traditional methods of caring for orphans and go for the first ever family-centred approach.
His model was (and still is) based on four main principles: Every child needs to be loved by a mother or a parent who establishes a close relationship with each child. Children grow up together with girls and boys of different ages as brothers and sisters in a family house in a village forming a supportive community. Natural brothers and sisters are not separated.
Although the number of orphaned children is on the decrease in many countries, the number of children who, for various reasons, cannot live with their parents is on the increase. SOS Children's Villages consistently works on further developing child care methods to be able to meet ever-changing demands.
 Community-based programmes which have been established to prevent children from being forced to live separated from their families - which especially applies to millions of children in so-called developing countries - play a pivotal role there.
For years, SOS Children's Villages in Latin American countries has been providing multi-level services covering nutritional, health, education and child care issues aimed at particularly empowering women and their families. Self-help models and solidarity among women, families and communities are decisive there. Community projects like self-organised child-minding models take the burden off the shoulders of women and provide women and children with social protection.
SOS Children's Villages in southern and eastern Africa have geared their effort towards meeting the needs of families and young people affected by HIV/AIDS who are at a high risk of contracting HIV every day. Services offered include support provided to child or grandparent-headed families, AIDS counselling and prevention, education and health services.
SOS Children's Villages is currently active in 132 countries and territories. 438 SOS Children's Villages and 346 SOS Youth Facilities provide more than 59,000 children and youths in need with a new home. More than 131,000 children/youths attend SOS Kindergartens, SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools and SOS Vocational Training Centres. Around 397,000 people benefit from the services provided by SOS Medical Centres, 115,000 people from services provided by SOS Social Centres. SOS Children's Villages also helps in situations of crisis and disaster through emergency relief programmes. The emergency clinic in Mogadishu (provides app. 260,000 check-ups and treatments a year) is one example of a huge long-term relief project.
Our Vision
 Every child belongs to a family
Family is the heart of society. Within a family each child is protected and enjoys a sense of belonging. Here, children learn values, share responsibilities and form life-long relationships. A family environment gives them a solid foundation on which to build their lives.
Every child grows with love
Through love and acceptance, emotional wounds are healed and confidence is built. Children learn to trust and believe in themselves and others. With this self-assurance each child can recognise and fulfil his or her potential.
Every child grows with respect
Each child’s voice is heard and taken seriously. Children participate in making decisions that affect their lives and are guided to take a leading role in their own development. The child grows with respect and dignity as a cherished member of his or her family and society.
Every child grows with security
Children are protected from abuse, neglect and exploitation and are kept safe during natural disaster and war. Children have shelter, food, health care and education. These are the basic requirements for the sound development of all children.
Our Mission
 We build families for children in need
We work for children who are orphaned, abandoned or whose families are unable to care for them. We give these children the opportunity to build lasting relationships within a family.
Our family approach in the SOS Children’s Village is based on four principles: Each child needs a mother, and grows up most naturally with brothers and sisters, in their own house, within a supportive village environment.
We help them shape their own futures
We enable children to live according to their own culture and religion, and to be active members of the community.
We help children to recognise and express their individual abilities, interests and talents.
We ensure that children receive the education and skills training they need to be successful and contributing members of society.
We share in the development of their communities
We share in community life and respond to the social development needs of society’s most vulnerable children and young people.
We establish facilities and programmes that aim to strengthen families and prevent the abandonment of children.
We join hands with community members to provide education and health care, and respond to emergencies.
Our Values
 These are the core beliefs and attitudes on which our organisation has been built, and they are the cornerstones of our success. These enduring values guide our actions, decisions and relationships as we work towards fulfilling our mission.
Courage:
We take actionWe have challenged traditional methods of orphan care and continue to pioneer innovative child-care approaches. We help children who have no one else to turn to. With a sensitive yet confident approach we are determined to question, learn and take action for children around the world.
Commitment:
We keep our promisesWe are dedicated to helping generations of children have a better life. We do this by nurturing lasting relationships with our donors, our co-workers and the communities in which we are rooted. We believe that by making a long-term commitment we have a meaningful and sustainable impact.
Trust: We believe in each other
We believe in each other’s abilities and potential. We support and respect one another, and build an environment where we can approach our responsibilities with confidence. In an atmosphere of trust we are inspired to share our experiences and learn from each other.
Accountability: We are reliable partners
Since 1949 we have built a foundation of trust with donors, governments, and other partners who support us in our mission. Our greatest responsibility is guaranteeing the well-being of children by ensuring high standards of care. In doing this we are committed to using all funds and resources wisely, with respect and accountability.
SOS Children's Villages has now established a total of 1,698 facilities in the following categories (2004/2005):
SOS Children's Villages
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449
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19
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SOS Youth Facilities
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335
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6
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SOS Kindergartens
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260
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11
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SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools
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173
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9
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SOS Vocational Training Centres
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115
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3
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SOS Social Centres
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258
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15
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SOS Medical Centres
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53 |
2
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SOS Emergency Aid Programmes
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9
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0
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1K Charity run 
