There comes a time when all the SOS children are grown and start their own life. But even then, the SOS Children's Villages still consider it wise to continue to provide some kind of after-care. It's purpose is to monitor the life of the young adult and, if need be, support them in both word and deed.
The concept of after-care exists in numerous countries. The care of the SOS Children's Village has reached its goal when the young man or young woman is capable of living his or her own life independently and assume full responsibility for it. This does not imply that there is no more contact with the SOS family. For it is another goal of the SOS Children's Villages that the now adult person continues to have a good relationship with his SOS family, even though he is independent.
Many former SOS children entertain close contacts with the SOS Children's Villages, and time and again go back to visit "their" Children's Village to see their SOS mother or simply recall their childhood in the village, and, of course, to show their own children where they grew up.
In some countries, "former" SOS children meet regularly. There are even associations of former SOS children in some of these countries, where people come together who wish to stay in touch after leaving the SOS village and for that purpose have founded a community of former SOS children.
Hermann Gmeiner founded the first club of this kind, the "Club Wir", in 1972. In these associations of former SOS children, people meet who want to keep up contacts among them. The relationship with the adults from the SOS children's village is maintained and fostered, as well as the relationship with the SOS mother and other village staff. It is a community whose hallmark is mutual assistance.