Kaifeng

Country information

The city of Kaifeng is situated in Henan province, about 10km south of the Yellow River. Kaifeng was the capital of the Chinese Empire for seven dynasties and is considered one of the cradles of ancient Chinese civilization. During its almost 3,000-year history, Kaifeng has been flooded by the Yellow River quite a few times. However, the earth wall around the city, which is still intact, has protected it and prevented major damage. In 1995, it was decided to build the sixth SOS Children's Village of China in the city of Kaifeng. A few plots of land were offered to SOS-Kinderdorf International. The corner-stone of the Children's Village Kaifeng was finally laid on 20 May, 1996, and the first phase of construction was terminated in January 1997. The village was officially inaugurated on 7 April, 1997. The Chinese Deputy Minister for Social Affairs and some important representatives of the province and the city were present at the inauguration ceremony. The SOS Children's Village Kaifeng consists of 14 family houses, the house of the Village Director, and some administrative buildings. In addition, there is a clinic, an SOS Kindergarten and an SOS Youth House. The SOS Children's Village is situated in the largest residential area of Kaifeng City. There is a large market, a primary and a secondary school and a hospital near the SOS Children's Village.