#Vantage Foundation #Portugal #Lisbon #SOS Children's Villages #Child Neglect

Addressing Child Neglect: Vantage Foundation's Initiative in Portugal

On April 16, 2025, the Vantage Foundation embarked on a significant visit to the SOS Children's Villages in Lisbon, Portugal. During this visit, they engaged in crucial discussions about the persistent issue of child neglect—a problem that often goes unnoticed but has far-reaching effects on children's welfare. The meeting included Teresa Conceição, the Corporate Fundraising Coordinator, and Emerson Marques, the Brand and Communications Lead at SOS Children's Villages, emphasizing the organization's 60-year commitment to support children who have been neglected, abandoned, or abused.

Child neglect is a pressing issue, with reports indicating that a child in Portugal finds themselves without necessary support every 10 minutes. This unsettling reality leads many children into a cycle of emotional abuse and neglect that may span generations. Unlike abandonment, the signs of neglect are subtle and frequently overlooked, making it a more complex issue requiring urgent attention.

To break this cycle, SOS Children's Villages in Portugal are dedicated to preventing neglect through advocacy, protection, and education, ensuring that no child is left to grow up without the care they need. Neglect operates not merely as a lack of care; it is a chronic disruption of trust that can destroy a child's mental health and future development. Children subjected to such neglect often struggle with emotional well-being and can find it difficult to form healthy attachments and relationships.

During their visit, Vantage Foundation representatives were informed about the various programs SOS Children’s Villages have in place, designed to empower families through mental health support, educational opportunities, and emergency assistance. By addressing systematic issues early, SOS is actively working to prevent family breakdowns and minimize the need for out-of-home care.

When family separation is unavoidable, SOS ensures that children receive high-quality care that prioritizes keeping siblings together and tailoring support to each child's individual needs. Moreover, the organization provides caregivers with specialized training focusing on trauma-informed practices, which is essential for nurturing children who have faced neglect.

The Vantage Foundation recognizes that eradicating child neglect is not a task accomplished in isolation; collaboration is key. By partnering with organizations like SOS Children’s Villages, along with businesses, policymakers, and community groups, they aim to amplify the voices of children in vulnerable situations and aid in putting an end to familial neglect.

Emerson Marques, the Brand and Communications Lead at SOS Children’s Villages, highlighted the invisibility of child neglect: “This is a profound, unseen, and destructive issue. The less it is spoken about, the more dangerous it becomes. We need people to recognize this problem and take action—only then can we ensure that no child grows up without the love, respect, and safety they deserve.”

The Executive Director of Vantage Foundation, Steven Xie, expressed admiration for the work done by SOS Children’s Villages, remarking, “Their efforts demonstrate that by focusing on what children need and the importance of collective action, we can tackle even the most daunting challenges. Child neglect is a ticking time bomb, but together we can bring this issue into the light and work towards real solutions.”

This initiative represents a continued commitment by the Vantage Foundation to strengthen vulnerable communities. For more information about the SOS Children's Villages in Portugal, visit their website.

About the Vantage Foundation

Founded in 2023 in the McLaren Technology Center in the UK, the Vantage Foundation is an independent charitable organization collaborating with various entities, such as Indonesia’s Grab, Nigeria’s iREDE Foundation, Teach For Malaysia in Malaysia, and Brazil’s Instituto Claret.

For further information, please check www.vantage.foundation.