Child Sponsorship Background from Ganja, Azerbaijan

SOS Children's Village Ganja

Ganja is Azerbaijan's second largest city with approximately 300,000 inhabitants. It is located about 340 kilometres west of Baku, right in the heart of the country.

Ganja is an ancient town and was most likely founded in the 5th century. Throughout its history, Ganja has had different names, including Elizavetpol and Kirovabad. The name Ganja is believed to be derived from the Persian word for treasure, "ganj".

The municipality of Ganja is very supportive to the work of SOS Children's Villages and donated a suitable, 4.5 hectares plot of land in the city centre for the construction of the SOS Children's Village. The neighbourhood mainly consists of private, one or two storey houses with small gardens out front. Hospitals, schools, shops and a nursery are within walking distance.

The SOS Children's Village Ganja comprises fourteen family houses, a multipurpose hall, an administrative building including rooms for educational work, a garage and a workshop, as well as 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). Up to 110 orphaned, abandoned or neglected children can find a new home in the fourteen SOS families.

The children attend the local schools and nursery and support is provided to the nursery to raise the quality of its services.