Sofis Solutions and SOS Children’s Villages formed a partnership to support the rights of Uruguayan children and adolescents.

Montevideo, December 15, 2023.

Sofis Solutions partnered with Aldeas Infantiles to support a purpose-driven cause: the care of children and adolescents in Uruguay.

In Uruguay, 20 cases of child abuse are reported daily, and in 92% of these situations, the perpetrators are family members of the victims. In 2022 alone, the Comprehensive System for the Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence (Sipiav) recorded and intervened in 7,473 cases of violence. It was also found that one in five cases of child abuse involved sexual abuse, with adolescents—mostly girls—being the main victims.

These figures reflect “a mirror we do not want to see as a country,” said Cecilia Menoni, a member of Aldeas Infantiles, during a training session where Sofis Solutions team members learned more about the work of an organization dedicated to protecting children’s rights.

Independence with support

Aldeas Infantiles specializes in the care and development of children and adolescents in situations of violence. They provide alternative care for minors, support and strengthen vulnerable families, and also work on youth development and independence, including their integration into the workforce.

Children under the care of Aldeas Infantiles grow up with the organization and may be adopted, but at 18 they begin a process of independence. This stage poses many challenges, especially for those facing social and economic exclusion and limited opportunities. To address this, the organization created a youth sponsorship and workforce integration program, which Sofis Solutions decided to support. As part of this effort, the company team received training on the initiative.

Sofis formed a partnership with Aldeas Infantiles to accompany and financially support these young people’s path to independence. Together, the company and the organization will carry out activities to empower these adolescents and assist them along the way. The program encourages the involvement of Sofis Solutions’ team to achieve a socially impactful and solidarity-driven goal.

Guaranteeing rights

Aldeas Infantiles currently supports 1,952 children and adolescents through programs in Paysandú, Florida, Montevideo, Canelones, and Salto.

Their care and support align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which Sofis also adheres to.

Aldeas Infantiles primarily focuses on SDGs 1 (No Poverty), 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda).

To ensure adolescents’ rights to access decent work and quality education, Sofis is among the companies allied with Aldeas Infantiles. The organization emphasized that “the most vulnerable children require a corporate commitment that cannot wait, and together we can multiply the impact.”