Child Sponsorship Background from Tijuana, Mexico

SOS Children's Village Tijuana

The fifth Mexican SOS Children's Village was set up in here as the migration, lack of education and professional qualifications many become poor and destitute has had an impact on the social and economic situation here.  Many children are abandoned, mistreated and abused.

The SOS Children's Village was erected on a 1.8 hectare building site, large enough for the families of the SOS Children's Village to be able to grow their own fruit and vegetables, and the first families moved in in 1993.

The infrastructure in the district where the village is located is excellent, as there are hospitals, schools and markets within easy reach of the SOS Children's Village. 

SOS Children's Village Tijuana consists of a number of family houses, the village director's house, the aunts' or family helpers' house and an administrative and service area.

The adjoining SOS Youth Facility helps young people prepare for independent living.

Background to Tijuana

Tijuana, the largest city of the state of Baja California, Mexico, is situated on the U.S.-Mexico border and near to its sister city of San Diego, California.  It has a population of 1.5 million and is growing rapidly.

Tijuana's population is diverse and includes Mexico's largest Asian population (largely Chinese) as well as a large US population, who avoid a higher cost of living but are still able to work in San Diego. 

There is a high poverty level in Tijuana, as it is a hub for people from poorer parts of the country to escape extreme poverty because of the availability of employment.