India is the world’s second most populous country and one of the fastest-growing economies. There is a huge gap in living standards between urban and rural areas, and wealth is concentrated in the hands of a small portion of the population. Poverty, gender-based violence, and access to education remain significant challenges.
Thanks to legislation and reforms, school enrollment rates in India have increased, and the number of children out of school has decreased. However, the quality of education varies greatly across different regions. Rural schools suffer from a lack of resources, and especially girls and children from poor families are at risk of dropping out.
In India, millions of children are still vulnerable to violence, exploitation, and abuse. Despite legislation, child marriages, domestic violence, sexual abuse, human trafficking, and child labor remain common. These forms of violence have serious and long-lasting effects on children’s well-being and societal development.
SOS Children’s Village India has been operating since 1964 and is one of the largest SOS organizations in the world, maintaining 31 children’s villages across the country. SOS Children’s Village Finland has been collaborating with SOS Children’s Village India since 2023.
Our work in India is supported by Neste.
As part of SOS Children’s Villages’ family strengthening program, we support school-going children and ensure that those who have dropped out of school can return to their studies. To help children succeed academically, we provide them with additional support at learning centers run by SOS Children’s Villages.
Since 2023, we have promoted children’s education by offering tutoring in collaboration with SOS Children’s Village India. Additionally, we assist families in obtaining learning materials so that no child has to miss school due to lack of supplies. We also train parents to better support their children’s well-being and learning. We regularly organize various training sessions and workshops within communities.
We work closely with families and communities to ensure that every child has access to quality education and a better future.
Our work supports eight of the UN Sustainable Development Goals that directly impact children’s well-being and future opportunities.
In Tanzania we promote the wellbeing and rights of young girls, boys, and mothers. Our work addresses inequality, gender- and child-based violence, poverty, and challenges related to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The project is funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
In Ethiopia, we aim to reduce poverty and improve the wellbeing of women and children in particular, while promoting gender equality. We support caregivers in strengthening their livelihoods and parenting skills, improve school infrastructure, and promote child-friendly and inclusive teaching methods. The projects are funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
In the Gambia we promote the rights of the most vulnerable women and young people to advance gender equality and sustainable livelihoods. We support youth education and employment opportunities through vocational training, career guidance, and internships. The project is funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
