SOS Children’s Village Shillong marked its 25th anniversary, celebrating a legacy of love, care and transformation for vulnerable children and families in Meghalaya.
The silver jubilee celebration took place at the village campus in Umiam, Ri-Bhoi, and brought together children, caregivers, community members and dignitaries.
Founded in 1998 with just five SOS ‘mothers’ and 40 children in rented houses on the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (MePDCL) campus at Umiam, the SOS Children’s Village moved to its current campus the following year.
Over the past 25 years, it has become a safe haven for over 334 children raised in a family-like care model. Currently, 155 children live in nine family homes and two youth homes, while 65 young adults are supported through the Supervised Independent Living (SIL) programme.
Today’s event witnessed the presence of cabinet minister Paul Lyngoh, SOS India CEO Sumanta Kar, CPO Anuradha Abrol and Village Director Amar Jyoti Sarmah.
“SOS Shillong has not only nurtured children but shaped futures and communities, may it continue to inspire future generations,” Lyngdoh said.
In addition to family-based care, SOS Shillong has expanded its outreach through the Kinship Care since 2017 and Individual Foster Care (IFC) programmes since 2021. These programmes, in collaboration with the state government, support 76 children across 39 families.
Kar added, “This journey began with a promise to give every child without parental care a home, family and future. Today we celebrate the fulfilment of that promise and the many lives it has touched.”
The village also supports 282 children in vulnerable families through the Family Strengthening Programme, helping 523 families achieve stability and self-reliance.
