The purpose of SOS Children's Villages is to help children who are in need of care because they have lost their parents or are homeless for other reasons. SOS Children’s Villages provide abandoned, orphaned and destitute children with a new and permanent home. The children receive a suitable education and sound preparation for independence in adult life. The practical implications of the SOS Children’s Village idea have had a powerful influence on work with abandoned and orphaned children worldwide. The SOS Children's Villages remain in charge of these children until they are able to look after themselves. While they learn a trade of profession, they can live in the Youth Houses run by the SOS Children's Villages. The SOS Youth Facilities represent a logical extension to the SOS Children’s Villages and the first guided step towards self-sufficiency in adult life. The carefully structured psychological and pedagogic concept on which the SOS Children’s Village idea is based promotes the free development of the individual personality and aptitude of every child. The principles of SOS pedagogy remain as valid today as ever before, and the SOS Children’s Village family is still considered the best alternative to the natural family environment. Children are accepted by SOS Children’s Villages irrespective of race, nationality of creed, solely according to their need of care.