The city of Arica is a port city in northern Chile and located very close to the border with Peru (18 kilometres). Arica was founded by Spanish conquerors in 1541 and, since 1545, was used as port for exporting the silver of Potosí (Bolivia). Arica is known as one of the driest inhabited places on Earth. Near the city is the Azapa Valley, an oasis where vegetables and olives are grown. Economically, Arica is an important port for Chilean ore, and its tropical latitude, dry climate and the city's beach, have made Arica a popular tourist destination within Chile.
SOS Children's Village Arica was built on an area of about 9,000 m², and consists of twelve family houses which provide a new, loving home for up to 108 children. SOS Children's Village Arica includes: a village director's house, a community centre for events and celebrations, an administrative unit, a small clinic, a sports ground, a chapel, a swimming pool, a holiday camp, and an SOS aunts' house (SOS Children’s Village mothers in training, who assist current SOS mothers in their everyday work, and stand in for them if they are ill or on holiday).
The SOS Children's Village children are taught in local public kindergarten and schools. Up to ten adolescents from the SOS Children's Village can be housed at the SOS Youth Facility in the city for the period of their secondary education or vocational training, where a youth educator supervises them as they gradually get used to leading an independent life.