Queen Noor honors the mothers and co-workers of SOS Villages of Jordan

According to PETRA, Her Majesty Queen Noor , Honorary Chairperson of SOS Children's Village Association of Jordan and honorary member of the General Assembly of the SOS-Kinderdorf International, attended yesterday a reception hosted by the Austrian Ambassador to Jordan , Dr. Heinrich Querner, to honor and thank the mothers and co-workers of SOS Villages of Jordan.
The first SOS children's was founded by Hermann Gmeiner in 1949, in Imst, Austria to support children in need who had lost their homes, security , and families as a result of the Second World War. SOS children's villages follow a pioneering approach to the long-term care of orphaned and abandoned children by providing a permanent home and stable living environment . The SOS Children's Village is Based upon a family-like structure formed by four basic principles: mother, brothers and sisters, house and village.
In 1982, after a meeting between Bruno Kreisky, the former Austrian Chancellor, and Her Majesty Queen Noor , the Queen launched a project to establish an SOS Children's Village in Jordan. The first Jordanian SOS Children's Village was inaugurated by His Majesty King Hussein and Her Majesty Queen Noor in Amman on May 7,1987 and welcomed children into twelve family houses. Today ,345 children find a home and a family in three SOS Children's Villages , four SOS Youth Facilities , and two SOS Kindergartens within Jordan.
During the reception , Her Majesty awarded the SOS Children's Village Ring of Honor to seven SOS mothers who have served for ten years, the kindergarten Principal of SOS Children's Village in Amman, Mrs. Manal Al Khateeb, and the National Director of SOS, Mrs. Lina Kopty ,who have worked in their profession for twenty years. Recipients of this honor exemplify the values and commitment of the SOS mission and assume a special responsibility for serving
and caring for children in need . This is the third such time that Her Majesty has honored SOS mothers and the first time she will be awarding co-workers of the Association.
"It is such a pleasure to share in this special occasion supporting SOS whose exceptional caring for hundred of children within Jordan provides what every child needs and deserves -a loving family and a supportive community ," said Queen Noor.
Mr. Lucien Roca, the Regional and SOS - Kinderdorf International epresentative announced at the reception that , in light of the success of the Jordanian experience , the commitment of the devoted SOS mothers and the dedication of the SOS village Association of Jordan , SOS kinderdorf International will lay the corner stone for a fourth SOS village in Jordan the last quarter of the year 2006.
The Chairperson of SOS Children's Village Association of Jordan, Mrs. Huda Al Alami , also announced the opening of the fifth youth facility.
The event included members of the Royal Family, ambassadors to Jordan, dignitaries, as well as donors and supporters of SOS Children's Village Association of Jordan.