The opening of a new SOS Children’s Village is always a cause for celebration, but an especially colourful and lively fiesta was held for the inauguration of a new village in Cali in Colombia as it was the organisation’s 500th Village to open worldwide.

Numerous guests from the world of politics and international organizations mingled with people from the surrounding neighbourhoods and the adults and children who will be housed in the new village.

The new SOS Children’s Village Cali was built in one of the poorest neighbourhoods in Cali, the Barrio Prado del Sur. It consists of 14 family houses for over 120 children who will now live in a family and enjoy the love and support of caring SOS mothers.

After a ceremony officially opening the village, the guests were invited to visit the village premises with the children who will live there.

They were guided all around the village with a cheerfulness that is typical of the region and of the spirit created in the lively households of SOS Children’s villages.

The kids performed various local songs and dances and said a few words of thanks to the guests, and were full of pride when showing off their village, which they did by simply taking the hands of the guests and whisking them off to explore every inch of their new home.

In his speech at the ceremony, Helmut Kutin, President of SOS Children’s Villages, encouraged all guests to continue their support of the programmes of SOS Children’s Villages Colombia, and to do it as committed SOS friends.

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