The founder of SOS Children's Villages, Hermann Gmeiner, was Austrian. As a result of the misery of children without parental care in post-war Austria, Hermann Gmeiner founded our organisation in Imst, Tyrol. In the following decades, the organisation grew both within Austria and abroad. At present SOS Children's Villages is supporting children, young people and families throughout Austria.
The second SOS Children's Village was constructed in 1955 at Altmünster, which is situated in one of Austria's most attractive regions, in the 'Salzkammergut', the lake-district of the province of Upper Austria. The SOS Children's Village which was built on a slope, harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding landscape. The Traunsee lake makes a wonderful backdrop.
13 family houses, a Community Centre, a kindergarten and a Village Director's house were erected on a site which was put at the disposal of SOS on favourable terms by the community of Altmünster. The children of the SOS Children's Village attend the local schools and thus are well integrated into the local community. The teenagers live in the SOS Youth Facility on the premises of the SOS Children's Village.
Two educational communities named "Simba" and "Tabaluga" were established for socially disadvantaged children, who are in need of short-term accommodation. They aim at re-integrating these children within a short period of time into their families of origin. Recently, an SOS Home for Retired Mothers was added. Here, the retired SOS Children's Village mothers can enjoy their retirement and stay in touch with their families.
