Child Sponsorship Background from San Jerónimo, Guatemala

SOS Children's Village San Jerónimo

SOS Children's Village San Jerónimo was set up in 2001. The civil war hit this region very badly, and its inhabitants (most of them belong to the American Indian tribe of the Quiché) still suffer from the consequences. The extreme poverty of the people and the big number of social problems were the two most important reasons for choosing this region to establish another SOS Children's Village in Guatemala.

SOS Children's Village San Jerónimo consists of several family houses, the village director's house, an SOS Aunts' (family helpers') house, an administrative building and a multipurpose hall. It offers a new home to orphaned or abandoned children and youths.

Other SOS Projects in San Jerónimo

In January 2005, an SOS Youth Home was set up on the site of the SOS Children's Village. In this facility, young people gradually prepare for their future independence in so-called youth communities while they continue their education and/or training.

Background to San Jerónimo

San Jerónimo is a municipality  in the Baja Verapaz department of Guatemala, situated at 940 m above sea level.  It was founded in 1537 and today has a population of around 18,000. It covers a terrain of 474 km². The annual festival is held between September 28-September 30.

The predominant language is Spanish. There is a party and main fair held from 27 to 30 September each year, in honour of the patron Saint Jerome.

The first sugar plantation in Central America was founded here in 1601 by Rafael Lujan, becoming the most important heritage of the Spanish Kingdom in Central America for its production of sugar, cochineal, grapes, wine and pot liquor (licores de olla).