Quetzaltenango is Guatemala's second biggest city. It is situated in a fertile agricultural region in western Guatemala, 2400 m above sea level and at a distance of 200 km from Guatemala City. In the 1970s, there were many orphans who had lost their parents due to the long civil war and, later, the 1976 earthquake. That is why this city was chosen for the second Guatemalan SOS Children's Village. The official opening took place in the presence of the late SOS Children's Village president Hermann Gmeiner in May 1979.
SOS Children's Village Quetzaltenango consists of twelve family houses, the village director's house, a multi-purpose hall and an administration building. There is also a counselling room for psychologists and classrooms for courses such as sewing, typewriting and woodwork.
In 1985, various youth communities for boys and for girls were set up, according to demand. Youths from other Guatemalan SOS Children's Villages also find a home there. At the SOS youth communities, youngsters live together under the care of youth supervisors. They continue their education or training and gradually prepare for their future independence.