Psychological support to prevent child abandonment

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 make this possible, a safe environment is essential. Feeling protected and understood during childhood helps children 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. On a physical level, safety means:

• Having a home in good condition

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

• Access to safe play areas that encourage physical activity and creativity

Emotional safety is just as important. It involves creating an environment filled with love, respect, and stability. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child defines child protection as the prevention of, and response to, exploitation, abuse, neglect, harmful practices, and violence against children and adolescents. Therefore, a safe environment also means protecting children from any form of abuse or violence.

Creating a Safe Space at Home

Families play a crucial role in promoting happiness and emotional well-being. Practicing positive parenting helps build a supportive home environment. Here are a few key practices:

• Set clear boundaries: Define rules and expectations with consistency and respect

• Encourage empathy: Help children understand and consider others’ feelings—this can be taught from the age of 3 or 4

• Foster resilience: Support children in viewing challenges as learning opportunities

• Celebrate achievements: Recognize successes to boost self-esteem

• Provide emotional stability: Consistent routines and personalized attention are key

• Promote open communication: Encourage children to express their feelings without fear of judgment

Growing Up in Vulnerable Conditions

Children’s well-being largely depends on growing up in safe environments that offer both physical protection and emotional stability. Their happiness is strengthened through love, care, and positive guidance—essentials for exploring and fulfilling their potential.

However, in 2023, around 300,000 children in Spain were at risk of losing parental care, and more than 50,000 were growing up in alternative care, separated from their families. Without a stable and safe environment, these children face serious risks:

• Mental health challenges such as anxiety, fear, and stress

• Lower academic performance

• Difficulty forming trusting relationships and social isolation

• Barriers to emotional and cognitive development

In such situations, early intervention is essential. Identifying signs of vulnerability early allows for timely support and reduces the long-term effects. That’s why Aldeas Infantiles SOS has a Child Safeguarding Policy, which promotes child well-being and involves children, professionals, families, and communities in creating protective environments.

Protecting the Most Vulnerable Children

According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Social Rights and 2030 Agenda, more than 51,000 children and adolescents are currently in Spain’s child protection system.

In 2023, Aldeas Infantiles SOS provided a safe and nurturing family environment to 1,320 children and adolescents growing up without parental care in Spain.

In our SOS Villages, children receive not only stability and safety, but also emotional support, identity reinforcement, and a strong sense of belonging within a caring community. Additionally, in our Day Care Centers, we work closely with children and siblings of different ages in a family-like setting, under the care of dedicated educators.