Jaffna has an SOS Children’s Village

For people of Jaffna and for SOS Children’s Villages in Sri Lanka; January 05, 2014 is a very important date. A new abode for children has taken its roots to lessen the pains of civil war in the northern region.

On January 05 2014, SOS Children’s Village was dedicated to the children of Jaffna amidst modest celebrations. The function was attended by SOS families and friends. The key dignitaries present on the occasion were Hon. Minister Tissa Karaliyadde, Minister of Child Development and Women’s Affairs and Justice C.V.Vigneswaran, Chief Minister Northern Provincial Council. The SOS representatives Ms Sandhya Weerasinghe, Mr. Wilfried Vyslosil, Ms. Shubha Murthi, Mr. Ananda Karunarathne and Mr. Diwakar Ratnadurai were present on the occasion.

Thirty years ago, in August 1983 President of SOS Children’s Villages International Mr. Siddhartha Kaul (then project director for Sri Lanka) made first efforts to provide a loving home for needy children in Jaffna. But due to the civil war, work could not begin. However, when the war ended in 2009 SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka set up a temporary emergency relief camp for the displaced children in Cheddikulem (near Vavuniya) and started helping out children there.

Since then, SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka has cared for some 200 unaccompanied children and youth, 120 of which were reunited with their families. Still, 80 children remained in the care of SOS Children’s Villages and needed a permanent new home. To accommodate these children until a new SOS Children’s Village was built, two houses were rented in Jaffna. The construction of the new village in Jaffna began with the support of SOS associations in Germany, Norway, UK and Canada.

When the camp started close to 25 children - 10 girls and 15 boys were youth. Therefore, SOS Children’s Village Jaffna already has a youth house for boys and girls. There are twelve family houses in the village, ten houses for SOS families and two houses are used for youth girls. There is a separate building adjacent to the village for youth boys. Many children have traumatic past.

SOS Children’s Villages reiterates the fact that it is because of the support and generosity of its friends and supporter that realised this loving home for children in Jaffna.

We hope you will continue your support and generosity towards the children in North who need your kindness and support to own a bright future for themselves………

Support SOS Children’s Villages' mission to help children in need.

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