The country's twelfth SOS Children's Village was built in João Pessoa. This city with a population of about 400,000 is the capital of the federal province of Paraíba. The dry and hot region in the north of the country often suffers from long droughts, which affect the economy in a negative way. The difficult living conditions have made many people move to the big cities and industrial areas, where they hope to improve their social situation.

SOS Children's Village Paraíba is situated in the suburb of Mangabeira, about eleven kilometres from the city centre of João Pessoa. It was opened in May 1987 and consists of twelve family houses, where up to 120 children can find a new home. There is also the village director's house, a house for the so-called SOS aunts (SOS mother trainees or family helpers who support the SOS mothers during their daily work and fill in for them when they are ill or on leave), a multi-purpose hall for functions and festivities, and an administration and service area.

An SOS Youth Facility in the city centre accommodates up to 20 youths from the SOS Children's Village. Young people usually move from the SOS Children's Village to an SOS Youth Facility when they start a vocational training course or go on to higher education. With the support of qualified youth workers, the young people develop realistic perspectives for their future, learn to shoulder responsibility and increasingly make their own decisions. They are encouraged to develop team spirit and build up contacts with relatives and friends, as well as with the relevant authorities and potential employers.

An SOS Social Centre offers full day care for up to 280 pre-school children. In May 1990, an SOS Hermann Gmeiner School was opened. It consists of twelve classrooms and provides primary education to up to 590 children.