A vital commitment in the face of the social emergency in Tunisia
In Tunisia, thousands of children live without parental protection or risk losing it, victims of an increasingly unstable economic and social context. The situation of Tunisian children is a crisis.
Faced with this situation, SOS Children’s Villages Tunisia is strengthening its commitment through a structuring national project: to reach 8000 children in care by the end of 2025 , via its prevention, reception and support programs for autonomy.
Childhood in Tunisia: a context of great vulnerability
The indicators on the situation of children in Tunisia are worrying:
- About 1 in 5 children (21.2%) live in poverty and this reaches more than 40% of children in some rural areas; Kairouan, Siliana or Sidi Bouzid (INS 2023).
- 16.6% of children aged 5 to 17 suffer from anxiety and 4.4% from depression.
- More than 100,000 children leave school prematurely each year ( source: Ministry of Education ).
- 2.8% of children aged 10 to 14 are illiterate , a figure that is even higher for girls in disadvantaged areas. For example, in 2014, the overall illiteracy rate for people aged 10 and over was 18.8% , with a rate of 25% for women compared to 12.4% for men.
- Thousands of children live without stable parental support , exposed to neglect, forced labor, or marginalization.
- The number of children experiencing family breakdown is constantly increasing, exacerbated by economic insecurity, parental unemployment, and rural exodus.
- 88% of children aged 1 to 14 have experienced some form of violent discipline, including 84% psychological abuse and 22.6% severe corporal punishment. In 2019, 1,234 cases of sexual violence were reported, the majority of which were perpetrated against girls. In 2022, violence against children cost Tunisia approximately 2.6 billion dinars, or 1.9% of its GDP.
Our mission: to expand our impact
To provide a lasting response to these challenges, SOS Children’s Villages Tunisia is adapting its approach and reorganizing its structures:
Houses integrated into the community
We are gradually moving from a model based on traditional SOS villages to a model of integrated homes , located in the heart of cities and neighborhoods. This allows children to grow up in a more inclusive and community-oriented living environment , connected to society.
A village being rebuilt in Siliana
The village of Siliana remains active, with its current structure, in response to specific local needs and the rural context of the region.
Our programs in action
Here’s how we plan to reach 8000 children in care by 2025 :
- Preventing family separation
Through our Family Strengthening Program (FSP) :
- Socio-educational support
- Economic support for families
- Psychological follow-up
- Parental awareness
- Welcoming children without parental support
In our integrated homes and at the SOS Children’s Village in Siliana , we offer:
- A protective living environment
- Individualized educational support
- Health and well-being monitoring
- Emotional stability thanks to our SOS mothers and educators
- School reintegration and the fight against illiteracy
We work with local schools, teachers and families to:
- Reintegrating out-of-school children
- Offering personalized academic support
- Raising awareness of the importance of education
- Integration and autonomy of young people
We prepare young people for adulthood through:
- Training programs
- Support towards employability
- Developing life skills
Results that speak for themselves
- 2500 to 5244 families were supported in the family strengthening (RF) program.
- 83% academic success rate. (2024)
- Almost 90% of the children in the RF program passed the baccalaureate exam.
- 122 children have been taken care of in the Family Placement program over the last 5 years.
- 80 children were returned to their biological families.
- 5518 children are being supported in May 2025 compared to 2985 children in 2020.
Together, let’s reach 8000 children
This project is more than just a number. It’s a promise: to offer every child in Tunisia the opportunity to grow up in a safe, loving and promising environment .
You can make a difference:
By becoming a regular donor, 
as a partner company or foundation, 
or by sharing our mission with those around you.
Learn more, take action with us
To support this project or become a partner: 
Contact us at: parrainage.enfants@sos-tunisie.org
