SOS Children's Village USA, Inc.
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My Role: Donor & I met with the school secretary who acted as my guide and translator. I toured the campus and cottage where the child lives with his "brothers" and "sisters". I visited the public school he attends. I met his house Mom and was treated with the upmost hosp.
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March 24, 2011
I recently visited the S.O.S. Village in the Go Vap district of HCMC in Vietnam. The purpose of my visit was to meet the child I sponsor . To be honest I was looking for an excuse to end my sponsorship of this child as I had just spent some time with another fine organization and I wanted to give the moneys to them. After all, I reasoned, this child would be where he was with or without my donation. I've always thought of an orphanage as an institution. That picture was completely changed after my visit. This village was much more like a home and community than an institution. The grounds were well kept and beautiful. The children were housed and fed in small cottages taken care of by a house mom. All of the children I met were clean, healthy, and happy. They even had a puppy dog to love and to love them. I thought that was a great touch. They go to school with the other city children which I think is very important for their development. The village far exceeded my expectations. I could find absolutely no reason to end my sponsorship. In fact I have resolved to continue my sponsorship all of my days and beyond if possible. SOS Villages are doing an outstanding job! They deserve all the help they can get.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
helping children to grow up in a loving, clean, healthy, environment. It was a great experience.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
In my short visit I observed nothing I would change.
March 17, 2011
My husband and I have sponsored a little girl in Lithuania for almost 2 years now. We receive regular updates and new photos from her village. We send packages regularly and always receive thank you notes from her and the coordinator on-site. Last year we were lucky enough to be able to visit her in her home. Her mother was very welcoming and there was a small gathering to introduce us to our sponsored child. We spent almost 4 hours eating cake, drinking a wonderful homemade fruit tea, and getting to know each other. We left with lots of photos and even a framed picture drawn by our sponsored child. It was an incredible afternoon - one we won't soon forget!
SOS is an amazing organization and my only regret is that we did not learn of it sooner. Although right now we are not financially able to sponsor another child, we plan to do so eventually. SOS makes the lives of many children better and we are so happy to be a part of it!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
our visit to an SOS children's village.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
make more people aware of SOS.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
1 person found this review helpful
December 27, 2010
1 person found this review helpful
I am writing this review for SOS Children village, India. I could not find the organization listed here but I assume that all villages come under SOS umbrella. I along with my girlfriend have sponsored a girl child at SOS and I do feel it is one of the best things I have done in my life. Whenever I get an opportunity I do visit the SOS village and spend some time with children there. The SOS concept is so unique and so wonderful. Children stay together as a small family which is taken care of by a volunteer, which the children very lovingly call 'Mother". In the village where I have been, SOS has built small houses and in each house there is such a family. It is really heartening to see that children are provided a good atmosphere, which can help them to turn into well respected and educated citizens. I do hope more people contribute to the work done by SOS. In my opinion it dosen't matter how much you can give, as long as you donate something happily and with the belief that your donation can help a child.
I wish SOS and all the volunteers good luck and I am positive that they will continue making a difference in children lives.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Greenfield Village, Near New Delhi, India
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
just keep on doing the good work
October 19, 2009
Diwali, the festival of lights is round the corner. But the festive spirit evades Indians in the US because we are miles away from our family. There is no celebration without family and that is precisely why approximately 20 million orphaned and abandoned children will not enjoy Diwali. With no one to turn to for the feast and treat, orphaned children are deprived of a chance to celebrate this joyous occasion. With 500 Children’s Villages spread across 132 countries, SOS is the world’s largest charity dedicated to orphaned and abandoned children. There are 40 Children’s Villages in India, spanned between Kashmir and Kanyakumari. Since 1949, many thousands of children have grown to productive adulthood in the family-based care of SOS Villages all over the world. Children who have been abandoned or orphaned come to SOS Children's Villages where they are integrated into a loving family environment. They are nurtured and supported by an SOS Mother and up to 12 other children in their SOS home who become their SOS brothers and sisters. Apart from a family, they also get healthcare, education and vocational training. So please make this Diwali special and light an orphaned child’s life with a gift of a secure home. Join us in giving them a family and the childhood they deserve. Learn what you can do for these kids at www.nodiwali.org.
The Great!
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Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
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What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
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The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
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If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
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Ways to make it better...
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In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
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One thing I'd also say is that...
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
October 15, 2009
Since its founding in 1949, SOS Children's Villages has been helping orphaned and abandoned children all around the world. I joined this organization as a volunteer, and have since come to learn how impacting the work done at SOS really is. SOS has been helping India's children since the early 1960's and has built up a strong connection with the Indian community. There are currently 39 SOS villages in India as well as schools, youth facilities and medical and training centers. However, that is not all SOS does to help the children of India. This year SOS is working to bring back Diwali to millions of young Indian children who are unable to celebrate. The devotion and dedication SOS has shown to this campaign is more than i have witnessed before. SOS has created a microsite www.NoDiwali.org as well as youtube videos and social networking exposure to obtain more exposure to their NoDiwali campaign, all for the purpose of helping more children.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Reading letters and receiving pictures and cards from sponsors who have been able to meet with their sponsored child, or who have had life changing connections. This makes the experience worth while!
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
giving, loving and devoted
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Feed and provide homes for millions of needy children worldwide.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
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