ABSTRACT
SOS-Kinderdorf International is a private, non-political, non-denominational social welfare organization. It is the umbrella organization with which all national SOS Children’s Village associations are affiliated. The primary focus of SOS Children’s Village work is the long-term care of children and adolescents for whom no one can or wants to care for, until the young people become self-reliant and independent. As a rule, there are SOS Kindergartens associated with SOS Children’s Villages. Building on the pedagogical theories of Fröbel and Montessori, SOS Kindergartens are designed to stimulate the children’s interests and aptitudes in social, intellectual and manual skills at as early an age as possible, and to prepare them for further schooling. SOS Youth Facilities represent a logical addition to existing SOS facilities. If vocational training or specialized schooling necessitates a move to a different town, young people can move to an SOS Youth Facility.
