SOS Children in Macedonia

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia is a landlocked country in the Balkans, bordered by Serbia, Bulgaria, Greece and Albania. It is one of the least developed of the six republics of the former Yugoslavia, but has the potential to be largely self-sufficient in most foodstuffs and in electrical energy.

Unemployment is high and the country is still suffering from the after-effects of war in the region.

Skopje

We first made plans for a community in Macedonia in 1995, and an appropriate site was found in 1998 in a suburb of the capital city Skopje. Construction finished in December 2000 and the first SOS families moved in early the following year.

SOS Children is the first private institution in the country which offers long term family-based care for children in need. Local youth authorities and other social institutions are convinced that this type of out-of-home care is the best to ensure the individual development of each child.

Built on a 12,600 square metre site, the SOS Children's Village has twelve family houses which are designed for 84 children, as well as houses for the Village Director, guests, SOS staff and the SOS aunts, who help the SOS mothers. There is also a multi-purpose hall for community events and activities. A large playground provides space to let off steam, play games and meet friends.

The Village is multi-ethnic, the children are Macedonian Slavs, Albanians and Roma. They attend local nurseries and schools and extra-curricular activities include photography, dance, sports and handicrafts.

ul. Dimitrije Tucovic 25    
1000 Skopje    
Macedonia                   

Tel: +389/2 32 90 556       

e-mail: info.na@sos.org.mk