The president of SOS-Kinderdorf International Helmut Kutin as well as numerous guests of honor are visiting Uzbekistan to participate in the opening of another SOS Children’s village in Samarqand, UzA reported.

The first such village was opened in Tashkent. The SOS Children`s Village Tashkent was built on a four hectares plot of land close to the city centre, donated by the Government of Uzbekistan. The land is very fertile and is perfect for growing flowers and laying out kitchen gardens.

SOS Children`s Village Tashkent comprises fourteen family houses, houses for the village director and the SOS aunts (who support the SOS mothers and take care of the children when the mothers are on leave), a multipurpose hall, a workshop, small sports- and playground and an administration and service area. Up to 126 children can find a new home in the fourteen family houses of SOS Children`s Village Tashkent, where their SOS mothers take lovingly care of them.

The SOS Kindergarten consists of two class rooms and offers room to up to forty children, were pre-school education is provided on a full-time basis. Additionally, various activities are offered for children who are attending school already. The family strengthening programme offers access to essential services for children’s development (eg. educational, nutritional and health support, social skills) and supports families to protect and care for their children. The program also aims at linking families with income generating activities and offers help to improve the parents’ parenting skills.