Free School meals for 554 Children in Spain

Poverty is not just a lack of money. It goes far beyond the absence of housing or food. In addition to the lack of essential services, poverty also means limited opportunities and a vulnerable emotional environment. On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we aim to debunk some common misconceptions and explain how we work to ensure that every child grows up with dignity and a future.

One in ten children worldwide lives without the protection and care they need. Eradicating child poverty is not just about transferring financial resources; it is about guaranteeing equal opportunities for the most vulnerable children.

“Poverty is just a lack of money”

Childhood can be affected by multiple dimensions of poverty: education, health, nutrition, housing, family environment, and social participation. A child may have food and shelter, but if they cannot access quality education, the internet, or spaces to learn, play, and interact with peers, they are experiencing a form of poverty that limits their development opportunities.

“Child poverty only exists in developing countries”

Although we often associate child poverty with developing countries, we must remember that it exists everywhere, including in Spain. It knows no borders; it is a global challenge that requires local, supportive, and long-term policies.

In fact, according to the Childhood Platform, child poverty affects 28.9% of children and adolescents in our country, and these figures are even more alarming in Roma or single-mother families.

Have you ever asked a child what happiness means to them?
True happiness is built day by day, by offering children spaces where they can express themselves, explore, and learn without fear. To achieve this, a safe environment is essential. Feeling protected and understood during childhood helps them develop a positive and resilient attitude toward life’s challenges.

What is a safe environment?

A safe environment refers to a space free from physical and emotional harm. Physical safety means:

• Having a home in good condition

• Access to basic services like clean water, electricity, and other resources that ensure a decent quality of life

• Appropriate play areas that promote physical activity and creativity

Emotional safety, on the other hand, focuses on providing children with a loving, respectful, and stable environment. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child also emphasizes child protection, which includes preventing and responding to exploitation, abuse, neglect, harmful practices, and violence against children. Therefore, safety also implies protection from all forms of violence and abuse.

Fostering safe spaces at home

To make the home a space that nurtures children’s happiness and emotional well-being, families should adopt positive parenting practices. Some tips include:

• Setting clear boundaries: Define rules and expectations consistently and respectfully. This helps children understand their responsibilities.

• Encouraging empathy: Teach children to understand others' feelings—a key for building healthy relationships and social awareness. This can begin as early as ages 3–4.

• Promoting resilience: Help them view challenges as learning opportunities and build their ability to bounce back from adversity.

• Celebrating achievements: Recognize their efforts to reinforce self-esteem.

• Emotional stability: Consistent routines and personalized attention help create a supportive and stable environment.

• Open communication: Encourage children to express their feelings without fear of judgment so they feel safe sharing and managing emotions.

Living in a vulnerable environment

Children’s well-being depends greatly on having a safe space that provides both physical protection and emotional stability. Love, security, and positive parenting are key to nurturing happiness and healthy development.

However, in 2023, around 300,000 children in Spain were at risk of losing parental care, and over 50,000 were growing up in alternative care, separated from their families. Children without a stable and safe environment face various risks:

• Mental health challenges like anxiety, fear, and stress, affecting self-esteem and emotional stability

• Poor academic performance

• Difficulties forming trusting relationships, leading to social isolation

• Impaired cognitive and emotional development over time

Early intervention is crucial in these situations. Identifying risks early allows for timely action to prevent long-term harm. For this reason, SOS Children’s Villages Spain has a Child Safeguarding Policy to promote child well-being, involving children, staff, collaborators, families, and the wider community.

Protecting the most vulnerable children

According to the latest data from Spain’s Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030, over 51,000 children are part of the child protection system. In 2023, SOS Children’s Villages Spain provided protective family-like environments to 1,320 children and adolescents who were growing up without parental care.

In its Villages, SOS not only offers stability and safety but also strengthens emotional bonds and the identity of each child, ensuring they feel part of a supportive community. In their Day Care Centres, children live and learn in a home-like setting, with groups of siblings or mixed-age children cared for by a dedicated team of educators.

These spaces don’t just protect—they nurture belonging, development, and hope.