Child Sponsorship Background from Cisnadie, near Sibiu, Romania

SOS Children's Village Cisnadie, near Sibiu

Cisnadie is a town in Transylvania, about ten kilometres away from Sibiu. The SOS Children's Village is situated on a three hectares plot of land above Cisnadie. The family houses were built in the local rural style, using natural stone and wood. Six houses are grouped around a playground, and the other six around an old tree. The official opening ceremony took place on 24 October 1993.

The SOS Children's Village Cisnadie comprises twelve family houses with a capacity to take in up to 72 children, houses for the village director and the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave), and an administration and service area.

Other SOS Projects in Cisnadie

The SOS Nursery consists of four group rooms, a multi-purpose room, a room for medical treatment and a playground. It can accommodate up to 100 children and became operational in 1995. To meet the needs of the youths who had already outgrown the SOS Children's Village, an SOS Youth Facility was set up in Sibiu in 2001. The youngsters can stay there during their vocational training or higher education and prepare themselves for an independent life.

The SOS Social Centre runs two facilities: a holiday camp for up to 30 children from all over Romania and a family strengthening programme. The family strengthening programme offers access to essential services for children’s development (eg. educational, nutritional and health support, social skills) and supports families to protect and care for their children. The programme also aims at linking families with income generating activities and offers help to improve the parents’ parenting skills. Moreover, it provides support to state schools and nurseries: They receive school material, hygienic and cleaning material and breakfast for the children.

Background to Cisnadie

Cisnadie is renowned in Romania for its carpet making industry.  It is a small town, with a population approaching 20,000.  It is only a short journey away from the much larger, and more famous, Sibiu. It has a large German speaking contingent.