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| This young girl is enjoying the opening ceremony - Photo: SOS Archives |
The "Football Village", as it is fondly referred to in Norway, opened on 7 October 2008 amid much pomp and excitement. With 37 children in residence and 18 mothers, it was a hive of activity. On hand to entertain the guests were the Hermann Gmeiner Majorettes, supported by the Air Force Brass Band, and the SOS Kindergarten children, who delighted the crowd with their poems and dances which they happily put on display! Over 300 guests attended the event.
Among these were the Acting Republican President of Zambia, Mr, Rupiah Banda, Mr, Helmut Kutin, President of SOS-Kinderdorf, accompanied by Dr Wilfred Vyslozil, Direktor of the Hermann Gmeiner Fonds Deutschland, as well as the Norwegian Ambassador to Zambia, Mr Tore Gjos, the Southern Province Minister Daniel Munkombwe, Chief Mukuni of the Toka-Leya people and the Mayor of Livingstone Mrs Grace Shafique. Also in attendance were members of Rotary Club International and the Rotary Club of Livingstone, who had raised funds locally.
His Excellency the Acting President pledged to work closely with SOS once he got the mandate of leading the country and thanked Mr Helmut Kutin for the support that SOS Children's Villages are extending to vulnerable children in Zambia and worldwide.
Mr Helmut Kutin gave a moving speech thanking all who had contributed towards the construction of SOS Children's Village Livingstone and reminded all present that money was good but without love it was meaningless. He extolled SOS Children's Villages Zambia management and co-workers to continue with the good work and to continue to put in a lot to help the vulnerable children.
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| The "Football Village" will give this child a brighter future - Photo: SOS Archives |
Also on hand to witness this momentous occasion were 40 guests from Norway. The Norwegian Football Federation, through SOS Norway, has been instrumental in raising funds for the Livingstone Village. Heading the delegation from SOS Norway was secretary general Svein Gronnern, who said he was proud to be a part of the Zambian dream, gave accolades to the national director and her team for a job well done and promised to do his best to raise more funds to make a fifth SOS Children's Village in Zambia a reality. Norwegian Football Federation President Sondre Kafjord was happy that representatives from several youth football clubs in Norway were able to experience the great day and see for themselves the impact of their fundraising efforts. "Football is a universal sport enjoyed by all and plays a huge role in contributing to the welfare of children", he said. He donated 1,000 footballs for the three SOS Children’s Villages in Zambia.
Mothers in the village were happy that at long last their village was opened. They sang songs encouraging each other about the challenges ahead. Livingstone mother Esther Balengo said that as mothers, they were happy to take up their jobs and were ready to serve SOS Children's Villages Zambia and the children diligently. After the event, the visitors from Norway took the time to visit the houses that they had sponsored. Each house has a discrete plaque showing the various sponsors who had made that particular house possible. Each group of sponsors took pictures of 'their' SOS families and chatted to the mothers and the children and in many cases, an instant bond was formed.
A lot of work still needs to be done at the newest SOS Children's Village in Zambia, but with the enthusiasm and zeal displayed by all co-workers, this will surely soon be achieved.