What is WOW?WOW stands for World Orphan Week - an annual fundraising event during which everyone is invited to have fun and help orphaned and abandoned children by 'wearing something WOW' for one day and donating to SOS Children, the world's largest orphan charity. By participating in World Orphan Week, and encouraging others to do so, you can help SOS Children give orphaned and abandoned children a new mother, home and family … for life! It’s easy to WOW – |
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100% of donations go directly to SOS Children – a charity whose main aim is to help children whose parents are not there for them: AIDS orphans, street children, child soldiers and children orphaned by war, poverty, illness or natural disasters. Traditionally, we provide children with a home, a family and a new mother in a purpose-built local Village. We currently run 473 of these unique SOS Children’s Villages caring directly for more than 70,000 children in 123 countries worldwide. In places where there is a high rate of child abandonment, we also run programmes to help strengthen more than one million vulnerable families and keep them together. |
It couldn't be easier to get involved in WOW. Simply encourage everyone one you know to wear something WOW for a day in exchange for a small donation. From yummy mummies, to lovely lawyers, terrific toddlers to glamorous grannies you can all make a big difference to a child’s life.
Who Can WOW?
A whole host of celebrities have given their support for WOW including 'Chronicles of Narnia' actress Georgie Henley; TV presenters Phil Spencer, George Alagiah and Louise Minchin; fashion icon Vivienne Westwood and rising star Jordan Parkinson. Check out our Celebrity Supporters page to find out more!
Everyone is invited to get involved in World Orphan Week – but we are particularly encouraging children of all ages to participate. By ‘wearing something WOW’ children are not only inspired to be creative and have fun, but are also empowered to make a difference to the lives of children who are less fortunate than themselves.
WOW provides children in the UK with an opportunity to learn about other countries, cultures, religions and ways of life. For schools taking part, teachers can combine WOW with one of our lesson plans which enables a real connection with issues on the school curriculum such as the sub-Saharan AIDS pandemic, child soldiers and child labour. We can provide schools with information and resources, from country and Village specific profiles, photos and lesson plans to help make participation in WOW both fun and educational.
Get them to dress up as their favourite super-hero, wear their mum's clothes, decorate their school bag or pencil case, make their own hat - anything as long as it shouts 'WOW'!
Why should children WOW?
- It’s fun and creative
- 100% donations go directly to vulnerable children
- It’s educational – children are encouraged to learn about the lives of children who are less fortunate than themselves
- We can provide teachers with the resources to make WOW relevant to the school curriculum
When is WOW?
World Orphan Week 2009 took place 9-15 February, but you can still WOW! click here and register for your free fundraising pack.
Who will WOW help?
Every penny raised during WOW goes directly to SOS Children, the world’s largest orphan charity. We provide a family and a home for children who have lost their parents through war, famine, disease or poverty. Every penny you raise helps us to help even more children. Find out more about what we do.
How to WOW
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For more information about taking part in 'wear something WOW' have a look at our section for Schools and Groups, they are packed full of inspiring ways for everyone to take part - companies where employees can wear a bowler hat (see bowler hat day), clubs, individuals, nurseries, schools and colleges! If you decide to take part you can e-card your friends or colleagues about it.
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Official WOW partner - The Monsoon and Accessorize Trust
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Gillian Lipton of The Monsoon Accessorize Trust tells us why the Trust has decided to partner SOS Children for the WOW Campaign for the second year running... "The Trust was established in 1994 and funds projects to help disadvantaged women and children in Asia. Monsoon and Accessorize are brands with a distinctive handwriting and when we were approached by SOS Children to participate in 'Wear something WOW' to raise money for World Orphan Week we saw great synergies. In the first year (2008), Accessorize sold a beautiful necklace and bracelet and exceed our expectations by raising over £40,000 for SOS Children. The company sources products from China and we specifically asked for this donation to go to projects in China. This money will be going to the SOS Children's Village in Kaifeng, China. For this year, Accessorize will be selling a versatile, eye-catching scarf and Monsoon will be selling a pretty 'bag for life' in the children's department. This bag has been especially designed for the promotion and includes the SOS logo. Working with SOS on these initiatives has been a pleasure; everyone within the charity is extremely professional and works to very high standards.I had the opportunity to visit an SOS Children's Village whilst in India. I was impressed with the facilities in the Village and also met some of the children who said how much they enjoy their new home. SOS Children is a charity that makes a difference to a huge number of children who may otherwise have no hope and the Monsoon Accessorize Trust is proud to support SOS Children's villages for another year." |