SOS Children’s Village Bhimtal, located amidst hills in the lake district of Nainital was set up in 1984 to take care of children in need in Uttaranchal state. The 48 acre campus houses the Children’s Village, SOS Hermann Gmeiner School, SOS Hermann Gmeiner Medical Centre and SOS JN Kaul Institute of Education.

Presently there are 121 children living in 12 family homes under the loving care of their Mothers. 232 children have come home so far to the Children’s Village for permanent care. Of these, 18 children are now happily married. 26 children are settled in jobs and leading independent lives.

The Village community celebrates with enthusiasm national and colourful local festivals with great enthusiasm. Groups of children go regularly for trekking excursions to nearby picturesque spots and to Nainital visiting Naina Devi Temple and the Bhutia market.

The Village regularly hosts SOS Mothers Workshops aimed at building skills and motivation of our mothers. Academic performance of our children remains high. One of our girls has joined a General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM) course at Varanasi and two are doing Beautician Vocational Courses at Lucknow. Four girls after completing graduation have taken on jobs and 5 marriages were solemnized recently.

The Arunodai youth facility at Bhimtal and Sopaan youth house have 39 youth on roll. Youngsters are studying in college and educational institutions while some are doing vocational courses. Youth interact with their families, brothers and sisters during vacation and festivals.

The Hermann Gmeiner School attached to the Children’s Village was started in 1986. It is a co-educational, residential-cum-day school affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi. Presently the school has 731 students on roll, of which 130 are from the SOS Children’s Villages. Facilities provided include art, music, band, gymnastics, theatre and orchestra. Meritorious students with an underprivileged background are provided support through scholarships.

Set up in 1991, the SOS Hermann Gmeiner Medical Centre provides comprehensive health care not only to the SOS campus but also to the nearby community. The centre is well equipped with emergency services and has a fully functional lab, x ray machine and ambulance. The Centre organizes routine health visits to schools and villages where children are educated on health matters like nutrition and personal health etc.

The Family Strengthening Program (FSP) reaches out to children and women in need in neighbouring communities. Its Outreach Program focuses on education, basic health and nutritional support for neighbourhood out-of-school underprivileged children. Under its Strengthening Motherhood Program (SMP) assistance is provided to underprivileged single women having small children. Currently 47 families and their 105 children are being supported under this program.