News
04/04/2008
Scouts respond to call from SOS Children
The Scout Association has formed a partnership with SOS Children, which supports the development of young people across the world.
SOS Children's Villages provides family homes for children who have no one else to care for them. Over 60,000 orphaned or abandoned children are currently cared for by SOS mothers in clusters of family homes in more than 450 unique children's villages, located in 123 countries around the world.
Scouts are currently involved in SOS Children's Villages in San Jeronimo, Guatemala and Hampolo, Mexico. 'Mothers in the village believe that it is important for their children to participate in as many community activities as possible,' says the village director at SOS Children's Village Sucre, Bolivia. 'In this way, the young people can develop their skills, capacities, and creativity.'
The charity enables young people to play sport, learn dance and attend art courses or clubs while others enjoy becoming members of important youth clubs, such as the Children's Parliament, Children's Forum, Scouts, and so on.
In this way, the children and youths of the village establish new relationships, learn to apply skills in real life, and develop their confidence while being part of the local community.
36th Epping Forest South Scout Group is already a keen supporter of SOS children since hearing a talk from a local SOS Children Ambassador; it is developing links to support the international element of its programme.
If you would like to do the same, visit www.soschildren.org. We will be featuring ideas and activities from SOS Children on our online programme database Programmes Online later in the year.
