On the morning of September 30, 1993, an earthquake of magnitude 6.3 on Richter scale rocked the districts of Latur and Osmanabad in Maharashtra. The degree of fury was such that dwellings in several villages of these two districts were totally reduced to rubble. A total of 7601 people lost their lives in Latur and Osmanabad districts (Source: Govt. of Maharashtra) and hundreds of children were orphaned. SOS-India rushed with emergency relief and was the first NGO to take part in the rehabilitation process along with Government agencies at Latur.

The first relief camp was set up in Narangwadi Village. The children were accommodated in tents near their villages. Initially medicines and mid-day meals were provided. These tents also served as Balwadis. Earthquake affected widows were selected as Aanganwadi teachers. Considering the large number of needy children, 500 children were sent to SOS Children's Village Pune and Sagroli, Nanded for immediate care. Taking into account the large number of children who required permanent care, a Children’s Village was planned at Latur for the rehabilitation of earthquake-affected children.

Latur is both a district and an important city in Maharashtra. The Latur District is in the south-eastern part of the state and is situated on the Balaghat plateau, 540 to 638 meters from the sea level. Earlier known as Naldurg tehsils, in 1905 it was merged with the surrounding areas and renamed Latur tehsils, and became part of Osmanabad district. On August 15, 1982, Latur was separated from Osmanabad to form a separate Latur district. It has been well known for its food grain trade and oil mills. Recently, it has evolved as an education center, primarily for secondary and higher secondary education. Latur has an airport of its own which is used for landing of private planes and helicopters. Though there are no commercial flights going out of Latur. Nearest airport is at Aurangabad, 290 km from the city.

Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, The present Chief Minister of Maharashtra and the then Revenue & Culture Minister Maharashtra, and the District Collector of Latur at that time Mr. Praveen Singh Pardeshi were instrumental in the District Administration and Municipality gifting 12.5 Acres of land in Latur for the construction of the Children’s Village. A 12-year old earthquake affected child Priyanka laid the foundation stone on 4th May 1994 and 90 children along with their SOS mothers and co-workers moved into the Children’s Village on 7th June’1996. Latur Children’s Village was inaugurated in 1999 by Mr. Helmut Kutin, President SOS- Kinderdorf International.
The Village comprises of 12 family houses, Social Centre, Kindergarten, Medical Centre and Co-workers residence. Besides, the construction of seven Balwadis in seven earthquake-affected villages was also completed. To run these Aanganwadis, teachers were selected from the same village. They were trained at our Mother’s Training School, Faridabad.

At present there are 125 children in 12 family homes receiving long term family care under their SOS Mothers. 98 children are attending various schools in the neighbourhood. Six children are in hostels.

Till now Children's Village has solemnized the marriage of 9 girls and they are now living happily with their respective families.

SOS Youth Facility

The Youth House Arunodaya at Latur became operational in 1996, while Sopan was started in 1995 at Aurangabad. A total of 42 youngsters are there.

Hermann Gmeiner Social & Medical Centre is a big focal point of SOS community initiative. It has been functional since 1999. It has a Kindergarten, stitching tailoring and embroidery centre and a computer room for kids. The social centre also runs eight balwadis in eight earthquake-affected villages, each located at a distance of about 50 Kms from the Children's Village. These are operational since 1996. The objectives of running Balwadis are-

To improve the nutritional and health status of children below the age of six years.

Lay the foundation for the proper psychological, physical and social development of the child.

Enhance the capacity of the mothers to look after the normal health and nutritional needs of the child, through proper health and nutrition education.

The Balwadis provide package of services:

1. Supplementary nutrition as mid-day meal.
2. Immunization in co-ordinance with the government agencies.
3. Non formal preschool education
4. Nutrition and health education.
5. Health checks up.
6. Referral services.

Trained Balwadi teachers and helpers build linkages with the health system, empower mothers with knowledge related to issues concerning child survival and development and thus build up the capacity of the communities to renew them selves, enable poor mothers to work in the fields to make a living while her children are positively looked after in Balwadis.

These balwadis are catering to 310 children and their families under Family Strengthening Programmes. Kindergarten run in Social Centre caters to 56 children, mostly from the neighborhood.

Stitching and tailoring classes are being organized since 1999 from two well-equipped rooms. 35 sewing machines including 5 embroidery machines have been installed. A qualified and experienced lady instructor imparts training. Presently 81 girls and ladies from the lower strata of society in the neighborhood are attending the classes. Many of them have started working from their homes and adding to the meager family income and became self-reliant. Parents of these girls may not be able to pay Hunda (cash dowry) in the marriages of their girls but they are assured that their daughters are well trained to contribute to the income of their families.

The Medical centre has a separate building within the campus. It has a full time trained nurse, a technician and a visiting doctor. The medical centre extends outdoor facilities not only to the village community but also to the neighbourhood. It extends immunization in the neighbourhood in co-operation with Government agencies.

Under the Family Strengthening Programme Children’s Village Latur is extending support to 38 mothers and their 119 children. Presently we are trying to evolve a package of services for the families of the beneficiaries to align them with FSP Manual Standards and Guidelines.

Besides the above mentioned programme, 50 children in the age group of 6 to 14 years are receiving help. These children are from the neighboring slums and are school drop outs. SOS-India is preparing these children for admission in regular schools or vocational courses. They come to the Social & Medical Centre for four hours everyday, out of which two hours are given to literary programme and one hour for organized games. They are also provided with a nourishing lunch.