Alibaug

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages India).

Alibaug is a coastal town located in the Maharashtra district, about 100 kilometers from Mumbai. The city is part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, which has over 26 million inhabitants. Alibaug is only a ferry-ride away from the center of Mumbai, which is the second biggest city, and also the commercial and financial capital, of India. Mumbai is growing rapidly. While the city is one of the wealthiest and most developed regions in India, it is also home to Asia’s second largest slum. Children are most vulnerable to the poverty in these slums, and to the harmful effects of pollution.

Since 2010, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Alibaug.

400,000
Vehicles are polluting the the air of Mumbai

Pollution is a risk to children

Mumbai Metropolitan Region is one of the most polluted cities in the world. The main causes are construction activity, vehicular emissions, and open burning of rubbish. Mumbai is infamous for its many traffic jams, and the city counts around 400,000 vehicles, most of them run on petrol or diesel and emit damaging amounts of pollutants. The city is lacking waste treatment facilities, so waste is often dumped at the border of the city. The biggest rubbish heap in India, around 16 million tons of trash, can be found in the Deonar suburb. Children are especially vulnerable to pollution: waste and air pollution have a negative effect on their health and living conditions.

55%
Of people in Mumbai live in slums

Poor housing

Mumbai is one of the fastest-growing cities in India, and the infrastructure has been unable to keep up with this development. Often people who move to Mumbai in search of a better life and job opportunities, end up in one of the urban slums. Around 55% of Mumbai’s total population lives in slums.The largest slum, called Dharavi, is the second biggest slum in Asia, and over 1 million people live there. This slum has developed an informal economy, with thousands working as potters, leather tanners, weavers, soap makers, and in the recycling industry. Children are most vulnerable to the widespread poverty pervading the slums of Mumbai, as they lack access to healthcare and education.

Your support makes a difference for children in Alibaug

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
440
Families
Can stay together
110
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
50
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
Children in our care learning together. Siblings grow up together, and often form bonds that last a lifetime (photo: SOS Children’s Villages India).

How your support helps in Alibaug

Strengthening families and communities
When parents face hardships, they can sometimes struggle to give children the care they need. SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to empower parents. Each family needs different support so that they can stay together. This support can include workshops on parenting and children’s rights. We also run training so that parents can get the skills they need to get a job or start their own businesses. Likewise, we ensure that children can get medical help and go to school.
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.
Supporting young people to become independent
To help young people become confident and independent, our local team works closely with each young person to develop a plan for their future. We support young people and also help them prepare for the labour market and increase their employment prospects. For example, young people can attend workshops and trainings run by SOS Children’s Villages. They also improve their skills through taking part in different projects with local mentors and businesses.