Everyone can help to Put Children First! - #putchildrenfirst

With all of the global issues that we have been exploring over the last seven weeks, it can be easy to get discouraged. However, thousands of organizations all over the world are working hard to find and implement solutions.

SOS’s Village model is only one of these solutions, but we believe it is very effective. When people come to SOS Children’s Villages for support, 25% of children do not regularly attend school, and 54% cannot ensure the child’s health. After only one year of participating, 56% of families attain self-reliance, 76% of children stabilize or improve their educational performance, and 22% significantly improve their health.

The Family Strengthening Program helps families stay together; the SOS Mothers look after children whose own parents cannot; the Villages provide health care, education, and social services to those who need it, which creates stronger, more self-sufficient communities.

This week, we will also be talking about ways for Canadians to get involved: how to fundraise for a cause, where to go to find ethically made products, what online tools there are to create a petition or to get kids interested in these issues.

For more of our Put Children First campaign, please follow our Twitter and Facebook. Keep others in the loop by using the hashtag #putchildrenfirst!

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.