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| The new SOS Children's Village in Fukuoka, Japan |
May 21, 2010: In the historic city of Fukuoka the first SOS Children's Village in Japan was dedicated by the mayor of the city.
Situated on the northern shore of the island of Kyushu, Fukuoka is the capital of Fukuoka Prefecture, some 680 miles southwest of Tokyo. The SOS Children's Village consists of five family houses prepared to accommodate up to 25 children. The first three SOS mothers have recently completed two years of training each and have already begun to care for their children.
Japan has shown a need for SOS Children's Villages family-based approach to alternative care for some time. About 40,000 children in the country are in protective custody due to abuse and other reasons, with 90 percent of them living in infant homes and orphanages, according to Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
The guests of honor for the opening ceremonies were the Deputy Governor of Fukuoka, the Austrian Ambassador to Japan Dr. Jutta Stefan-Bastl, and Siddhartha Kaul, Deputy Secretary-General of SOS Children's Villages International. Friends, supporters and people from the neighboring community also joined in the celebration.
"The SOS Children's Village is a place where children grow with security, dignity and protection. A good beginning has been made and with friends and supporters extending their helping hand, I'm sure the future is full of promise for children here," said Mr. Kaul on behalf of SOS Children's Villages.
The family houses were constructed thanks to donations from companies, private donors and other supporters from Japan.
You can help build families in Japan and across the globe. Make a donation to SOS Children's Villages today.