SOS Children in Uzbekistan
Overview of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan, positioned on the ancient Great Silk Road between Europe and Asia, emerged in 1991 as a sovereign country after more than a century of Russian rule - first as part of the Russian empire and then as a component of the Soviet Union.
Its majestic cities such as Bukhara and Samarkand, famed for their architectural opulence, once flourished as trade and cultural centres. Economic reform has been painfully slow to materialize. A World Bank report in the summer of 2003 found economic growth and living standards to be amongst the lowest in the former Soviet Union.
Our Work in Uzbekistan
Tashkent
We began working in Uzbekistan in 1999 with the construction of the SOS Children's Village Tashkent on land donated by the government. The Village is on the site of a former vineyard in a middle-class, residential area of the capital, about 25 km from Tashkent's main airport. It has 14 family houses which are home to 126 children and the affiliated SOS Nursery offers room to 40 children, both from the Village and the surrounding area.
Samarkand
A second SOS Children's Village in Uzbekistan opened in the ancient city of Samarkand in 2007. There are 14 family houses. While the construction of the Village was being completed, flats were rented for the first SOS mothers and their children.
Urgench
We have been helping families in the border city of Urgench since 2010. A hard climate makes Urgench particularly inhospitable and jobs are scarce. Many parents migrate in search of work, leaving their children behind, and youngsters suffer gravely from the lack of parental care. In a region where temperatures drop as low as -45°C, lone children often have to survive without heating, without electricity; even without running water.
SOS Children helps families struggling to care for their children. We provide training to teachers and work closely with local schools and nurseries to make sure they are delivering the highest standard of education. By collaborate with local government and other agencies, we make sure children get adequate healthcare, nutritional support and the right clothing in a place where living conditions are harsh.
Local contact
SOS Children's Village Association Uzbekistan
Sh Rashidov St 16
6th FloorEast Side
Poytakht Business Centre
100029 Tashkent
Uzbekistan
Tel: +99871 140 97 28, +99871 140 97 27, +99871 140 97 29
Fax: +99871 140 97 30
e-mail: sos-na@sos-kd.uz