Books 

Book "When Knowledge Sparks a Flame"

How can we successfully make the right knowledge available to the right people at the right time? How can we support co-workers in transferring and implementing knowledge? And how can the challenges involved be met? These are the questions SOS Children's Villages has been dealing with in great detail over the last couple of years.

"When Knowledge Sparks a Flame" describes the strategy of SOS Children's Villages in terms of knowledge transfer, which means using available knowledge for additional fields of work throughout the world. SOS Children's Villages focuses on person-related communication and pays attention to the established culture of learning and exchange of information, while trying to use the specific strengths of the respective cultures. By means of four examples from practical work the book describes the approach to a subject which both concerns profit and non-profit organisations. In addition to that, it contains concrete implementation strategies, conclusions involved and deductions for the profit sector.

Lechner-Kreidl, C. / Hilweg, W. / Nguyen-Feichtner, M. / Reinhardt, R.: "When Knowledge Sparks a Flame. Knowledge communication in the international non-profit organisation SOS Children’s Villages", Peter-Lang-Verlag, 2007
Approx. 200 pages, EUR 24,80.- + transportation costs
To be ordered by e-mail: E-Mail: hgak@sos-kd.org or in bookshops

Book "Women's Lives: SOS Mothers Around the World Tell Their Stories"

Fifteen women from four continents have permitted the reader to gain an insight into their life stories. They all have one thing in common: they have chosen to become SOS mothers. What are these women's personal backgrounds? What are their motives for choosing this profession? How do they organize their daily lives in the SOS Children's Villages? What are their personal aims and dreams? In the portraits on hand the women give answers to these questions and many more.

The aim of this book is to bring the reader closer to these women, thereby contributing to a more authentic image of the profession and life of an SOS mother. In order to prevent a "dry white season" of paper and to provide a more comprehensive overall image, photographer Fred Einkemmer accompanied the project and documented everyday life of the women in numerous pictures. In addition to that the book quotes from personal dairies of the authors about their observations, impressions and emotions.

The portraits clearly show that the motives of the women to decide themselves in favour of this profession are as individual as are their life stories. Each of the women stands out through her uniqueness - whether this be the "traditional" SOS mother, who mainly defines herself through her role as a mother, or the "modern" SOS mother, who sees no dichotomy between her role as a child care professional and the motherly feelings for the children entrusted to her care.

Ullmann., E. / Demuth, K. / Brandl, A.: Women's Lives: SOS Mothers Around the World Tell Their Stories, ISBN 3-9500984-3-7, Innsbruck, 2003
If you want to order the book (29 Euro/book) please send your orders to: E-Mail: SOSMothers@sos-kd.org

Book "Childhood and Trauma - Separation, Abuse, War"

In 1997 Werner Hilweg and Elisabeth Ullmann of the Hermann Gmeiner Academy published the book "Childhood and Trauma - Separation, Abuse, War".

Experts from eight different countries gathered in order to discuss the causes and effects of trauma. They showed how a healing influence and a methodologically reflected treatment of traumatized children can help overcome terrible experiences.

Hilweg, W., Ullmann E. (ed.): "Childhood and Trauma - Separation, Abuse, War", Ashgate Publishing Ltd., England, ISBN: 0-7546-1259-7

As the book is out of print we can offer you a download-version (PDF) - see "Downloads"