The destitution of the orphaned and abandoned children on the main Island of Cape Verde induced SOS-Kinderdorf International to become active on these islands in 1980. Together with the "Instituto Caboverdeano de Solidariedade" (ICS), a non governmental organisation, concrete steps were taken to realize the plan of SOS-Kinderdorf International and the government.

On 23 January 1981, an agreement was signed between the Cape Verdean government and SOS-Kinderdorf International. Subsequently, a property was found for the first SOS Children's Village in Assomada, a small town in the mountains, approximately 30 km from the capital Praia, on the Island of Sao Tiago.

At the end of 1982, construction work began on the first SOS Children's Village together with a Kindergarten in Assomada. By June 1984, the construction was completed and the first 15 children moved into their new home.

Due to the outgrowing number of children and the development of these children, an SOS Youth Facility was established in 1988. A Carpentry workshop  was also established in the premises of the SOS Children's Village.

By the beginnings of the 90's, SOS-Kinderdorf International especiallycommitted itself  to the establishment of better educational facilities. Small schools were then established in remote rural communities. In addition, a primary school with 12 classes was established in Praia. All the schools were handed over to the national school authorities for day-to-day running.

The poor social situation in Praia which was caused by the migration of a large number of refugees from the countryside who were in search of better living conditions, gave rise to the idea of establishing the second SOS Children's Village near the Capital, Praia in 1997.

In 2000, construction work on the second SOS Children's Village and the second SOS Kindergarten started in Sao Domingos, 10km from Praia.

In 2002, construction work on the SOS Children's Village and the SOS Kindergarten was completed and the first set of 31 children moved into their new home in January 2003.

In 2005, an SOS Family Strengthening Programme (FSP) started in Mindelo, on the island of Sao Vicente, to help vulnerable children and particularly street children. in 2006, two other FSPs were established in Assomada and Sao Domingos.

By the end of 2007, an SOS Social Centre should be operational in Sao Vicente island, in the outskirt of Mindelo.   

Like other SOS Children's Villages, that of Cape Verde is particularly supported by voluntary contributions from sponsors and friends.

Today, there are two SOS Children's Villages, one SOS Youth Facility,  two SOS Kindergartens and three SOS Family Strengthening Programmes in Cape Verde.