SOS Children's Villages' activities in the country
The first talks about the possible construction of an SOS Children's Village in Turkey took place back in the 1970's. However, it was not until 1987 that an agreement was signed between the private Turkish foundation, "Türkiye Korunmaya Muhtaç Çocuklar Vakf" (Foundation for Children in Need of Protection) and SOS-Kinderdorf International. One year later, construction of an SOS Children's Village and attached SOS Kindergarten started in Bolluca, a suburb of the European part of Istanbul. Most of the people living in Bolluca were very poor and many of them had come there from Anatolia hoping to find work. Because the economic situation here was very bad and therefore, also the social conditions, the construction of a family-like, long-term facility for needy children was desperately necessary.
Construction work on SOS Children’s Village Bolluca was completed in the spring of 1992 and the first children were able to move into their new homes. After the terrible earthquake of August 1999, the SOS Children’s Village was enlarged to make room for even more children in need.
Due to national legal constraints SOS Children’s Village was not in the position to work directly under our name. After years of talks and a three-year transition period we agreed on the withdrawal of SOS Children's Villages in Turkey. The SOS Children's Villages Turkey has been closed in May 2011.