SOS Children's Villages is an independent, non-governmental organization that has been working to support neglected and abandoned children since 1949. In Nicaragua, SOS began operating in 1972 following a devastating earthquake, housing orphaned children in villages in the country's northwest. SOS provides housing and care for children who cannot return to their biological families, as well as family strengthening programs to support disadvantaged families and prevent neglect. Poverty is a major issue in Nicaragua, with over half the population living below the poverty line and facing challenges like malnutrition, lack of access to education and healthcare. SOS works to help break the cycle of poverty by providing children with access to education and support networks.

1. SOS CHILDREN’S
VILLAGES

2. WHAT IS SOS?
An independent, non-
governmental social
development
organization, which has
been active in the field o
children’s needs, concern
and rights since 1949.
Its activities focus on
neglected and
abandoned children and
orphans, as well as
disadvantaged families.

3. SOS CHILDREN’S VILLAGES’S ACTIVITIES IN
NICARAGUA
Following a devastating
earthquake is 1972, which
almost destroyed the
capital, Managua, SOS-
Kinderdorf International
decided to become active
in Nicaragua. The
Northwest of the country.
The children it housed
were mainly those who
had been orphaned by the
catastrophe.

4. Why does Miss Universe
Canada choose SOS?
We believe that our
“Beauties in Action”
statement is congruent
with beauty deep within
Awareness and Education
is important for every
age group, for every
gender and for every
race.

5. In 2004-2005 the school year alone saw 200,000 children enrolled in the primary
and secondary public school system withdrawn from classes by their parents citing
lack of jobs and financial difficulties as their main reasons.
A large number of parents in Nicaragua have difficulty paying for food, let alone
school supplies. Although abundant in beauty and natural wonders, it is
painstakingly clear that Nicaragua is ill-prepared to face problems of famine, under-
education, social marginalization, and human underdevelopment.
Children are taken into an SOS Children’s Village if it is likely or certain that they
will not be able to return to their biological families.
In addition SOS there are a variety of family strengthening programs and facilities,
which offer targeted support and advice for socially economically disadvantaged
families at risk of living in poverty or already living poverty.

6. While overall poverty levels show marginal decline, the
population growth has resulted in a net increase in the
number of poor.
Population of 5.3 million they have 4 million Nicaraguans
that live on less than a $1 a day
1 out of 2 people live in poverty.
1 out of 23 children die before reaching the age of five
3 of 10 Nicaraguans do not have access to the most
essential medicines
1 out of 2 children drop out of school before completing
the fifth grade

7. But...why are we presenting
to you today?
…10 years of formal education are needed to break
the cycle of poverty?
How can you help?
Children help children…
How?
How about a letter?
How does this help break the cycle
of poverty?
Poverty isn’t a one step process. When a young person reaches out to
another it let the world know that it starts with one voice
Together we have a bigger voice.

8. What do other programs do?

9. Some facts about Haiti
The Republic of Haiti has
a total population of
roughly 10 million, with
roughly 900,000 living in
the country’s capital,
Port-au-Prince. It’s
official languages are
Creole and French.
Haiti is the poorest
country in the western
hemisphere.
Haiti’s post-earthquake games

10. What their future holds
We only ask for understanding and love
and to spread the word of SOS

11. The bigger the voice the bigger the message

12. Who is involved in helping SOS?
Norway Haiti Germany Nicaragua Pakistan Egypt
Canada Bangladesh Central African Republic
France China
Wait...is it easier to list Continents? Because SOS
helps more than 2,100 facilities and
programmes in 133 countries and territories!!
Europe Africa Asia
Americas Oceania

13. Thank you from the Miss Universe Canada Organization