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

Vantage Foundation Collaborates with SOS Children's Villages in Portugal to Combat Child Neglect

Neglect remains one of the most significant yet often overlooked threats to children's well-being. Unlike abandonment, neglect can go unnoticed, leaving children trapped in a cycle of chronic emotional harm and developmental difficulties. Recently, the Vantage Foundation embarked on a visit to SOS Children's Villages in Lisbon, Portugal, to address this pressing issue.

During the visit, Vantage representatives, including corporate fundraising coordinator Teresa Conceição and brand communication leader Emerson Marques, discussed the organization's 60-year commitment to protecting children affected by neglect, abandonment, or violence. In Portugal, a child grows up without the necessary support for their development every ten minutes, many of whom experience forms of neglect that can span generations. As neglect is less visible than other forms of harm, it often remains unaddressed and causes prolonged suffering for children.

SOS Children's Villages in Portugal strives to break this cycle through prevention, protection, and advocacy, ensuring that no child is left behind. Neglect goes beyond mere absence of care; it is a chronic erosion of trust that profoundly impacts mental health and development. Children who experience neglect often suffer from emotional disorders, attachment issues, and difficulties in forming healthy relationships. Without intervention, the neglect cycle continues, and families become caught in a generational struggle.

To combat neglect at its roots, SOS Children's Villages empower families through education, mental health support, and crisis assistance. Addressing systemic challenges proactively can help prevent family breakdown and reduce the need for out-of-home care. When family separation is unavoidable, the organization provides high-quality care in a nurturing environment. This includes keeping siblings together, tailoring care to meet individual needs, and equipping caregivers with specialized training on trauma-informed practices. The organization also advocates for stronger legal protections for young people leaving care, providing them with essential tools to build independent lives.

The Vantage Foundation recognizes that eliminating neglect requires collaboration. By working alongside organizations like SOS Children's Villages, businesses, policymakers, and communities can amplify the voices of vulnerable children and help interrupt cycles of neglect within families. "Child neglect is a deep, invisible, and devastating issue," emphasized Emerson Marques, Brand and Communication Lead at SOS Children's Villages Portugal. "The more it is silenced, the more dangerous it becomes. Sharing this knowledge is crucial to breaking the cycle—it's essential that more people are aware, show concern, and join the cause. Only then can we ensure that no child grows up without the love, respect, and safety they deserve."

Steven, the executive director of the Vantage Foundation, stated, "The work of SOS Children's Villages in Portugal is truly inspiring—it demonstrates what is possible when we prioritize children's futures and emphasize the importance of collective action. Neglect is a crisis that goes unnoticed, but together we can bring it into the light and drive genuine change. By confronting neglect, we can build a world where every child grows up in love, respect, and security."

This initiative is part of Vantage Foundation's ongoing commitment to empowering underprivileged communities. To learn more about SOS Children's Villages in Portugal, visit SOS Children's Villages Portugal.

About Vantage Foundation

Founded in 2023 at McLaren Technology Centre in the UK, the Vantage Foundation is an independent charitable organization. The foundation collaborates with organizations worldwide, including Grab in Indonesia, iREDE Foundation in Nigeria, Teach For Malaysia, and Instituto Claret in Brazil, to support impactful social initiatives that make a real difference.