SOS Urumqi a warm hearted family

The city Urumqi is located the furthest from every ocean. So this also counts for the SOS-Village in Urumqi. We meet Montee, one of the staff members in front of our hotel and drive to the village. On the way we are told that it is a new village and that the official opening has been in 2001. When we arrive we can see its new. New houses all build around a little park. Although the trees and plants are far from mature, the village has a feeling of home to it. We are greeted by the village director and get a brief introduction in the history of the village. 106 Childrens are now living in the village, the youngest being two years old.

In the village is a nursery school for the village youngest and as well for small children from the surrounding community. A neat place where we meet a few excited children. Then we head to one of the houses. When we meet the mother we are sold. Her smile is even bigger then her heart and the children adore her. One of her children is playing in the living room. Her real parents both decided to commit suicide after years of fighting. As nobody could take care of her anymore, she was brought to the SOS-Village. She looks very happy and when elles takes a picture of her she runs up to her and gives her a big hug!

In the next house we visit we meet and Uygur family. As there are many different ethnical minorities living in the area, SOS has decided to place all Uygur children in one family so they are able to maintain some of their culture. The mother is Uygur as well and shows a traditional Uygur dance she is teaching the children. Then she shows us the kitchen. It¡¯s a real family and the place feels like home.

When we leave the village we are wished a safe journey by the children and the staff. Before we got to the village we wondered if we would finally see something which isn¡¯t perfect. But also this time we are very much impressed by the work, the SOS-formula and the love and care the mothers provide to the children. We are also impressed by the effort the staff is undertaking to run the village. The director, the assistant director and the rest of staff are all living in the village so they can provide round the clock assistance. How big a heart must these people have!!