The SOS worldwide clocked Dr Hermann Gmeiner’s 94th birth anniversary this year, observed as the SOS Day on June 23. The event began with a prayer service and lamp lighting followed by cake cutting by the youngest child of the village who also celebrates her birthday on Monday.
The nomination of the first SOS Children's Village sof India- Greenfield for the National Award, recommended by the Haryana Government to the Central Government for 'best child care institute' proved to be further icing on the cake. The brain child behind the noble cause, Hermann Gmeiner was the founder father of the children's village movement in the world. From 1949 until his death he dedicated his life to SOS Children's Villages.
Gmeiner himself said that the early death of his mother prepared the way for his founding of SOS Children's Villages. After the schooling he was called to serve the army. The fate of many war orphans and uprooted children, as well as the conditions at the time in children's homes and orphanages touched on his own experiences both as a child and as a soldier on the front. Together with friends, Hermann Gmeiner founded the association ‘Societas Socialis’ (in English: Social Society) (SOS) in 1949. He later renamed it to SOS-Kinderdorf and it became known in English as SOS Children's Villages.
The SOS day in memory of its founder father is celebrated across the globe in 133 countries & territories with great enthusiasm. The occasion brings together all the supporters of SOS Children's Villages. The event at SOS Childrens's Village Khajuri Kalan, a village for special children was graced by Rajpal Singh Gandhi, President of Singh Battalion as the Chief Guest. The special children of the village adorned the morning with an entertaining cultural fare organised especially for the event. An exhibition displaying craft materials made by the special children was also held within the village campus.