Tianjin is a big city situated about 100 km south-east of the capital, Beijing. The SOS Children's Village was established in the eastern outskirts of the city, in the district of Hedong, and consists of 20 family houses, the village director's house, a house for the SOS aunts (family helpers who support the SOS mothers) and an administration and service area.
There is also an SOS Kindergarten, which is attended by children from the neighbourhood as well, and an SOS Youth Facility. The youth facility comprises several flats. Young people often move out of the village and into a youth facility when they start a vocational training course or go on to higher education. With the support of qualified youth workers, the young people develop realistic perspectives for their future, learn to shoulder responsibility and increasingly make their own decisions. They are encouraged to develop team spirit and build up contacts with relatives and friends, as well as with the relevant authorities and potential employers.