SOS Mission & Vision - SOS Children’s Villages Albania
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SOS Mission & Vision

SOS Children’s Villages is the world’s largest organization focused on ensuring that children and young people without parental care or at risk of losing it, grow up with the care, relationships and support they need to become their strongest selves.

We support families at risk, prevent the separation of children from their biological parents and care for children who have already lost the protection of their parents. When staying with their family is not in a child or young person’s best interest, we provide them with quality care and support adapted to their unique needs, experiences and culture. We work with communities and partners to ensure that the interests and rights of all children are respected.

Our history

The founder of the SOS Children’s Villages model is the Austrian Hermann Gmeiner. Together with Maria Hofer, Josef Jestl, Ludwig Kögel, Herbert Pfanner and Hedwig Weingartner, he decided to make a difference in the post-World War II era after recognizing a problem: thousands of children had lost their families. Under their guidance, the organization and its many volunteers pioneered an innovative model of alternative care that focused on providing children with reliable, family-like relationships that created security and a real place of belonging

In 1949, it was founded the first SOS Children’s Village in Imst, Austria. In the 1960s, the SOS model spread beyond the borders of Europe and the organization grew quickly, becoming the Global Federation of SOS Children’s Villages International in 1964.

Today, the Federation comprises more than 130 national SOS Children’s Villages national associations. As members of the federation, each SOS Children’s Villages association – including SOS Children’s Villages in Albania – is committed to applying the federation’s statutes, standards for quality childcare, and stringent financial and administrative practices.

Our vision

Within a family each child is protected and enjoys a sense of belonging. In a family, children learn values, share responsibilities and form life-long relationships. Through love and acceptance, emotional wounds are healed, and confidence is built. 

What truly matters is that children and young people have a sense of belonging, of being surrounded and supported by individuals who care for them, whom they can rely on and trust, who believe in them, and who are available when they need someone the most. A nurturing and trustworthy relationship is the cornerstone of the kind of family environment we envision for every child and young person.

Our mission

We build families for children in need, we help them shape their own futures, and we share in the development of their communities

We are here for children and young people no matter their background, experience, culture, heritage, religion, sexual orientation, political alignment, gender, disability or origin.

They are our priority, and we do whatever it takes to ensure that they grow up empowered with trust and a feeling of belonging.

Every child belongs to a family and grows up in an environment of love, respect and security.

Our values

These enduring values guide our actions, decisions and relationships as we work towards fulfilling our mission.

Our approach

Our approach is centered on the understanding that each child and young person is unique – they have unique needs and experiences, and they possess an individual potential for impacting the world. That is why our broad range of programs and services are designed to adapt to different individuals, cultures, and contexts.
We believe that our vision of breaking the cycle of child neglect, abuse, and abandonment can only be achieved through collaboration.
To that end, we regularly partner with corporations, governments, institutions, and individuals in all corners of the globe – sometimes for fundraising, other times for joint projects – but always with a strong mutual commitment to making a difference for children and young people in our target group.

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Eli*, no longer a child today

A different story for some, but the same for others
I grew up in SOS Children’s Village Tirana together with other children. Now that I remember in the first days, I thought that the only thing I and them had in common were our sad stories. They were my brothers and sisters, and we were all similar and unique in our own ways.

To better understand, let's start from the beginning of Eli's story.

In 1999, I was placed in the SOS Children’s Village Tirana after my family split up. I was scared and confused but also a little but curious. “What is this place?” I though. “Welcome to the family”, was the first phrase the SOS mother said to me. I quickly learned that it is called a family for a reason. The most important person for us in it was the mother. Her efforts to take care of us make her the most important in our eyes. Even though we were not siblings by blood, we became more than that. Although I was only 10 years old, my life in the SOS Children’s Village Tirana felt like a fresh start. I learned to warmly live with people whom I never knew or expected to encounter in my lifetime.

As we mature, we come to realize that happiness can be found even in the midst of sorrowful tales. During my time in the village, I developed a newfound appreciation for the love that comes with having siblings. Sara* and Ani* became my sisters in the household, and together we shared both our troubles and aspirations. We played, laughed, and even shed tears together. Hand in hand, we grew up alongside each other and created countless cherished memories. Is that the entirety of what a sister represents in the end?

In the village, I discovered my love for sports and aspired to become the best possible version of myself.
Through hard work and the support of those who believed in me, I succeeded. I was able to graduate from the University of Sports. I am proud not only of my achievements, but also of the happiness I brought to my family and supporters. My life has been a great journey. I have had the chance to grow in a different environment from most of my peers but in a very beautiful way. As a mother of two children, I now comprehend the significance of love, shelter, and family. Today, I can realize how much spiritual fulfilment I received where I grew up.
Sometimes it feels like I am part of a story written in a book where only my imagination can give life to the words. My sister Sara* tells me of being very poetic but I like it. I want to see life this way, open to accept the future surprises that life can bring.
*Kindly note that for privacy and child protection reasons, we have changed the original names of the children.”

Give children the chance for a better future.

Ada*, 11 years old

Working to keep families together is our superpower!

“Dear diary, I’m writing to you because I don’t want to share my wishes with my parents. I know that they will not be able to make it happen for me, and this causes sadness in their eyes…” 

Ada had written in her notebook, which she named “Ada’s Diary”.

Ada’s mother is unable to work due to her mental health conditions, and occasionally she is unable to care for girls. Ada’s grandmother is available to help, but she is old and in poor health. Ada’s father is the only provider of food for the family, but not having a profession makes it even harder for him to find a job. Ada and her sister did not attend school regularly.

They had been experiencing a decline in their school results despite the support and care shown by her grandmother and father. Their family situation affected their performance at school and their relationship with peers. For Ada her best friend was only her older sister who understand her, and her notebook.
Ada’s journey with the SOS Children’s Villages in Albania started three years ago. In a time, when her parents were struggling to keep the family together and were having difficulties in providing the care and stability that the children need.
Through SOS Children’s Villages projects in prevention and protection, every family member got the support needed to help them thrive and make their family succeed. Our colleagues made sure that Ada’s mother took all the needed medications and supported her in accessing social and healthcare services.

Fredi*, her father, participated in various parenting workshops to improve his parental skills. Ada and her sister were supported with psychological consulting and education, including school supplies, learning materials and after-school help. Ada and her family members worked together with the social workers, and experts to strengthen the family.

During a training session after a year of receiving support, Fredi said:
“I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I work hard, I love my family, and I take care of my children, my wife and my mother. We all face challenges at different times, but some struggles can be more difficult than others. My situation has taught me that we should be less judgmental and more supportive of those going through difficult times. Through my experiences, I have come to understand that even simple acts of kindness can have a significant impact on those who are struggling with various challenges in their lives.”

In our work, together with partners, donors, communities, local municipalities we enable children to grow up with the bonds they need to develop and become their strongest selves. We enable families to find better ways of being there for each other.
*Kindly note that for privacy and child protection reasons, we have changed the original names of the children.”

Be our partner in supporting more children to stay and grow with their families.