ACT, Montego Bay, Jamaica spent the day at SOS Children’s Village located in Barrett Town, Rose Hall, St. James where they learned about the history and mission of the SOS Village and toured the facility and visited with the children and sponsor families.
ACT’s visit was very impactful and plans to continue their relationship by volunteering and providing fundraising for the SOS Children’s Village.
At the end of the visit the ACT team presented the SOS Village with three baskets filled with necessities and other items for the houses and children.
About SOS Children’s Village, St. James:
SOS Children’s Village Barrett Town was inaugurated in February 1972 by American country-singer Johnny Cash, who was a big supporter of SOS Children’s Villages. Today, 12 SOS families can provide a loving home for children from the region who have lost parental care. In each family, they live with their brothers and sisters and are affectionately cared for by their SOS mother.
There is also an SOS Kindergarten here, where up to 90 children from the children’s village and the local community can be looked after. This way, children who grow up in an SOS family are integrated into the local community from a young age. Older children attend the local school and we give educational support to those who are struggling academically.
When young people feel ready to move out of their SOS home in order to pursue further education or vocational training, the SOS Youth Program makes shared accommodation available to them. In a safe environment and with the support of qualified counsellors, the young people can plan their future here; they increasingly take on responsibility and prepare for independent adult life.
