Official opening of first SOS Children's Village in Norway

On 24 September the first SOS Children's Village in Norway was officially opened. The SOS Children's Village on the western coast of Norway has been open since May 2008. Here, it's not just SOS mothers who are there to care for the children, but there are also two couples that work as SOS parents.

Up until now it was unusual in Norway for private organisations to be involved in providing out-of-home care. Public facilities and foster families tend to take in children from difficult backgrounds and children with no parents. Traditionally, foster families are favoured, but there are not enough free spaces and siblings often have to be separated when placed in foster families as a result of a lack of resources. SOS Children's Villages Norway hopes that the authorities will increasingly accept the alternative form of care offered within SOS families and, according to Synne Rønning from SOS Children's Villages Norway, there are enough children that need this type of care.

SOS Children's Villages has in fact been active in Norway since before the construction of the SOS Children's Village. A fundraising office has had great success in its fundraising activities since 1964 and its commitment and dedication have made it possible to set up many projects across the world. The history of social solidarity, mainly in the form of volunteer work and a willingness to donate, which is deeply embedded in society has over the decades been instrumental in making SOS Children's Villages a respected NGO in Norway.

The Village has eight family houses for 32 children. Two of the family homes will function as transit homes for children who need temporary emergency care.