What we do

SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica is a private, non-governmental social development organization founded in 1970 that works with children who have lost parental care under a rights-based approach as defined by the International Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Child Care and Protection Act of Jamaica.

SOS Children’s Villages Jamaica is affiliated with SOS- Kinderdorf International, where there are more than 550 SOS Children’s Villages worldwide that provide a loving home to more than 70,000 children and young people. Visit their website here (insert hyperlink)

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 recognize and fulfill 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 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 enable children to live according to their own culture and religion, and to be active members of the community.We help children to recognize 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 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

Courage: We take action

We continuously innovate our work for children and respond to the differing realities of local communities and individual children.

Commitment: We keep our promises

We make a long-term commitment to children and their communities and deliver quality services that support them to succeed in life.

Trust: We believe in each other

We work with all stakeholders in a spirit of teamwork, giving and receiving trust to achieve our mission.

Accountability: We are reliable partners

We are accountable to children, communities, partners and donors. Our greatest responsibility is to ensure quality care.

SOS Children’s Villages International is the umbrella organization to which all national SOS Children’s Village Associations are affiliated and further information is available on the website. https://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/