Chengdu

SOS Children’s Villages supports individual children, young people and families so that they can thrive (photo: SOS Children’s Villages China).

Chengdu, one of China's biggest cities, is the capital of Sichuan province in the heart of China. It is the economic, political and educational centre of this area. Recent growth in Chengdu has attracted many people, mostly from rural areas, to come to live in the city in search of a better life. However, the reality in the urban sprawl is very different and life is full of hardship. Many families live in precarious homes with little access to basic infrastructure such as health care or education. Children growing up in these conditions are often at risk.

Since 1997, SOS Children’s Villages has been supporting children, young people and families and advocating for their rights in Chengdu.

376M
Internal migrants within China

Rural-urban divide

When a family moves from a rural area to the bigger cities, they are assigned temporary status, which restricts their access to a range of services, which include healthcare, housing funds, and unemployment insurance. A 2020 census recorded 376 million domestic migrants in China. Children from low-income migrating families have a high incidence of sickness and malnutrition. All of these children are very vulnerable as they struggle to keep safe. Some local governments prohibit migrant children from accessing quality education and from participating in college entrance exams.

169M
Children at further risk due to access to new technologies

Child protection

Although there is a lack of Chinese national data on child protection, in UNICEF surveys conducted since the early 2000s a large number of children had reported to have experienced physical, psychological and sexual violence. Child protection policies exist but local authorities struggle to enforce them. One way in which children are at risk is through new technologies. By 2018 estimates, 169 million children aged 6 to 17 have access to the internet in China. This has resulted in many children, especially those without social support systems, becoming vulnerable to exploitation and abuse online.

Your support makes a difference for children in Chengdu

SOS Children’s Villages works with local partners and communities to offer a wide range of support that is adapted to the local context. We always work in the best interest of the children, young people and families.
16
Young people
Take part in trainings
60
Children and young people
Grow up in our care
20
Young people
Are supported on their way to independence
Children and young people spend a lot of time together and build bonds that often last a lifetime (photo: SOS Children’s Villages China).

How your support helps in Chengdu

Providing quality education
SOS Children’s Villages ensures that children and young people have access to high-quality education. We help them learn and develop in a safe and supportive environment. We train teachers on children’s rights and child-centered learning, so that each child can get the most out of their education. Young children spend time playing and learning at kindergarten. This prepares them for primary school..
Caring for children who cannot live with their families
Some children cannot stay with their families, even with additional support. When this happens, they can find a new home in SOS Children’s Villages. Here the children can build safe and lasting relationships. All the children in our care have access to education and healthcare. Wherever possible, we work closely with the children’s family of origin. If children can return to live with their families, we help them adapt to this change.
Supporting young people to become independent
To help young people become confident and independent, our local team works closely with each young person to develop a plan for their future. We support young people and also help them prepare for the labour market and increase their employment prospects. For example, young people can attend workshops and trainings run by SOS Children’s Villages. They also improve their skills through taking part in different projects with local mentors and businesses.