Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, was chosen as location of the first SOS Children's Village with an adjoining SOS Kindergarten because the government had provided a plot of land there. SOS Children's Village Mogadishu is situated about 9 km from the centre (in the Waharadde Estate). It comprises twelve family houses, a village director's house, an administration and service area, a guest house, an SOS aunts' house (SOS aunts take care of the children when the SOS mothers are on leave), a sports ground and a workshop. The SOS Kindergarten consists of four group rooms, a kitchen, a play ground and side rooms. It accommodates 120 children from the SOS Children's Village and its neighbourhood.
As soon as youths reach a certain age, they move to the SOS Youth Facility which was built in 1994. For the youths living in an SOS Youth Facility means that the youths have a great responsibility. They live a relatively independent life and just one youth leader takes care of them. Usually, youths stay at the SOS Youth Facility for up to four years. They may stay longer, however, if they are looking for work, completing professional training or studying at a university.