SOS PRESIDENT VISITS GULU

On Easter Sunday 23rd March 2008, SOS Children’s Village Gulu was blessed to host SOS Children's Villages President, Mr. Helmut Kutin for the second time, four years after his first visit to northern Uganda in 2003. When the plane landed at about 10.00am, two SOS children dressed in traditional attire, received him and handed him an “Awula” (an Acholi object made out of goat tail traditionally used by kings with their walking stick). He then proceeded to the Children’s Village and arrived amidst tremendous drumming and dancing by the SOS children and youth from the community. He was welcomed by the excited co-workers and toured the project, led by the village director.

Mr Kutin visited the SOS Day Care Centre where he distributed balloons to the toddlers and had fun with them, before going to the clinic. From the clinic he went to where all SOS beneficiaries had gathered and cut a cake for them. He then met the SOS mothers and co-workers, and the village director briefed him about the current status of the project. He thereafter spoke to the staff and his courageous words and humour will always be remembered by many.

Afterwards Mr Kutin walked the ½ km distance to the construction site of the new village where he planted a memorial tree in the presence of local leaders, among others. He was impressed by the progress. Finally, before leaving Gulu Mr Kutin had lunch with the SOS co-workers.