Child Sponsorship Background from Lhasa, Tibet (China)

SOS Children's Village Lhasa

In 2001, a special event took place: the opening of SOS Children's Village Lhasa, the first SOS Children's Village in the Autonomous Region of Tibet.

Before SOS Children's Villages started its work there, the numerous orphans of the region hardly ever had a chance of finding a proper home.

The corner stone of SOS Children's Village Lhasa was laid on 27 June 1999, the first families moved in in October 2000 and the official opening finally took place on 2 June 2001.

SOS Children's Village Lhasa is situated in a western suburb of the town about 85 km from the airport. On one side you can see the mountains, on the other side there is a river.

The SOS Children's Village consists of 17 family homes, the village director's house, a house for the SOS aunts (family helpers who support the SOS mothers), an administration and service area, a sports ground and an SOS Nursery. 

Other SOS Projects in Lhasa

The SOS Nursery with its four group rooms and some additional rooms has a capacity of about 120 children. Many of these children come from the local community. Near the SOS Children's Village, there is a primary school, a hospital and a market.

An SOS Youth Home was opened in 2007. Older boys from the SOS Children's Village normally move to the SOS Youth Home when they start a vocational training course or go on to higher education. With the support of qualified youth workers, they develop realistic perspectives for their future, learn to shoulder responsibility and increasingly make their own decisions.

They are encouraged to develop team spirit and build up contacts with relatives and friends, as well as with the relevant authorities and potential employers.

Background to Lhasa

Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. At an altitude is 3,490 metres (11,450 ft), Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world. It is the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism and contain many religious sites such as the Jokhang, Potala and Norbulingka  palaces.