-
Reset
+
Evelin Ilves opens children’s home in Narva-Jõesuu
16.10.2012
Today saw the opening in Narva-Jõesuu by SOS Lasteküla patron Evelin Ilves of a new children's home which features six family buildings housing 39 children between the ages of 1 and 19. The complex forms an integrated village – the houses are spread out throughout the town, but without any of the fences you would find in a normal village. Supervising the children living in the houses will be mothers and fathers. Each house will be home to children with profound mental and physical disabilities.
"It's fantastic that these houses were built as the result of the sort of like-minded cooperation you don't often see among the partners involved," said Evelin Ilves. "The town itself, Narva-Jõesuu, owns the buildings, while financing for construction was obtained from European Union funds, with support from the state, and the task of actually looking after the kids falls to SOS Lasteküla. And for the 40 or so of them who'll be living here, they now have their own family and their own home – and that's a wonderful thing!"
SOS Lasteküla has been operating in Ida-Viru County for three years. It has launched a family reinforcement programme in Narva to help ensure that children in families which find themselves in difficulty are not separated from their parents. Support is provided by psychologists, social workers, speech and other therapists, a parents' club and other specialists. The next goal the organisation has set itself in Ida-Viru County is to open a home for children aged 15 and over.
SOS Lasteküla was founded in 1992 and aims to provide family-based care to children without parents. In addition to Narva-Jõesuu, its villages and children's homes can be found in Keila, Tallinn and Põltsamaa. Through educational projects the organisation also helps children with learning difficulties in Keila and Põltsamaa.
Office of the President
Public Relations Department
Phone +372 631 6229
