History

SOS Children’s Villages Eswatini since inauguration has strived to drive its mission of building families for children in need, help them shape their own futures and contribute to the development of their communities. In all its effort the organisation is moving towards its vision that of, “Every child belongs to a family, grows in respect, love and security”. What have kept the organization is its values which are courage, commitment, accountability and trust. It is through the same values we took action for the children in our target, we continued beyond any odds, we remained answerable to our call and continued to trust others we are in contact with in the business of care. Following are some of the milestones achieved thus far:

1991: The Mbabane SOS Children’s Village was officially opened by His Majesty King Mswati III together with the kindergarten, primary and high school and named it ENGONWENI.

1993: Establishment of the National Coordination Of-fice.
First SOS National Strategic planning through setting out of major goals from which we were all expected to work towards through individuals’ annual activity plan.

1997: First Youth house established in Mbabane SOS Children’s Village. Medical Centre officially opened.

1998: First youth integration ceremony.

1999: SOS Sponsorship program was launched to cater for children outside SOS Children’s Village.

1999: Community housing project for 10 families in Mbabane at Sidwashini community sport field was established and opened.

2000: Reaching families within the wider community.

2001: Started the 2001 to 2008 Eight Initiatives Strategy that was considering the critical stakeholders and perspectives for better accomplishing the set goals.

2001: Established and opened the second SOS Children’s Village in Nhlangano, officially opened by His Majesty King Mswati III through Representative His Royal Highness Prince Masitsela.

2006: Memorandum of understanding up to 2016 with Government of Eswatini to manage primary and high schools signed. Introduction of Family Strengthening as a Programme.

2009: Started the 2009 to 2016 ONE Strategy focussing on the three main perspectives of our work, Children, Funding and Human Resource. This was to adjust and tighten our sails in readiness of the more wider and interactive future.

2009: Creation of Fund Development and Communication Function for the National Association.

2010: Third SOS Children’s Village established and officially opened by His Majesty King Mswati III naming it Ekutfokomeni.

2011: Creation of HR function in the National Association

2012: Introduction of Children’s Village Program Policy.

2013: March 28 to 31 Helmut Kutin Honorary President Visit. Moved the National Coordination Office to Manzini.

2014: Creation of more positions in the National Office. DHL and EU partnerships.

2015: SOS president Siddartha Kaul’s visit to Eswatini.

2016: Creation of Advocacy and monitoring and evaluation at the national office.

History

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