The inauguration of the forth SOS Children's Village in Guatemala, SOS Children's Village Jocotán, took place in 1985. SOS Children's Village founder Hermann Gmeiner was present at the opening ceremony. Jocotán is situated at a distance of about 200 km east of Guatemala City, near the Honduran border. This part of the country is very poor and mountainous. The site where SOS Children's Village Jocotán was set up is at a distance of 1 km from the village of Jocotán. A little river makes it fertile and green even during the dry season. The nearest town is Chiquimula; it is at a distance of about 26 km.
SOS Children's Village Jocotán consists of twelve family houses, the village director's house, offices and accomodation for the staff. The children attend kindergartens, primary and secondary schools of the community. In their spare time, children like to play on the basketball and football fields of the SOS Children's Village together with their friends from the neighbourhood.
An SOS Youth Facility, which is located in the town of Chiquimula, opened its doors in 1987. It consists of several youth houses and youth communities. In those facilities, youngsters gradually prepare for later independent living while they are finishing their education or training.