Sponsor's update from Kraljevo, Serbia

Update for child sponsors from the SOS Children's Village Kraljevo, Serbia from December 2007

Dear sponsors, dear friends,

On the beginning of this letter I would like to thank you on your generous support. Life of the children who live in the SOS Children’s Village Kraljevo will not be like it is without your help. You are bringing fortune and putting smiles on their faces with your love. Thank you for everything what you are giving to them, on behalf of SOS Children’s Village, SOS mothers and, of course, the children.

A lot of things happened in the last year. It had been laughs, picnics, vacations, songs, sports, playing, school… I will to describe you most interesting events.

The New 2007 children celebrated in theirs SOS families. Santa Claus made some wishes true, SOS mothers took care for the others… House’s and family’s warmth was in the air than. Children decorated Christmas threes, village’s courtyard, helped SOS moms about cookies … They enjoyed in funny games and masked bal during winter vacation days. And those masks! They were doctors, boxers, pirates, princesses…

In the beginning of April we celebrated Easter. Our children, together with their friends from city art school, painted Easter’s eggs as real marbles. After that performance, they made, together, Easter’s lunch in the courtyard. One big SOS family, mothers, children, friends and associates. Motley eggs, motley smiles, motley jokes… Picnic to the near by mountain, after couple days, exposed some new emotions in the front plan. All of them talked just about “three of love”, two intertwined big threes. They wanted some big secret and beautiful wishes near it…

Events in Serbia

Lilacs blooms in the May. A long time ago, in the vale of river Ibar, our people planted a lot of lilacs for one real princess, Helen of Anzuj. That was in her honor. She came than for the first time in Serbia, to be married for our king. Her grand, grand, grandson visited our Village in May with his fiancé, and, together with our kids, planted couple of new lilacs in “The vale of Lilacs”.

During the summer our elder children were in Caldonazzo, Italy. First time abroad, together with children from other countries… Some new friendships were made; words on Italian, German, English languages were learnt… They accommodated with hands, words, smiles, drawings. And, they enjoyed in everything. Younger children were on sea vacation. All of them spent nice summer and met refreshment, joyous and full of adventures for paraphrasing to friends, first September and school days.
Some babies start to walk, some to speak, some find out what love is for the first time in the life…

School year had just started and “Pipi long hose” came to visit! The granddaughter of famous writer Astrid Lindgren came to check did children know something about glorious Pipi. Of course, they knew everything! How strong she is, with who she lives, who are her friends…

Children growing up in Serbia

In the October some special atmosphere was in the air in the whole Village. We had Official opening ceremony of our SOS Children’s Village on October 25. All of inhabitants and associates gave maximum efforts in the ceremony preparing. SOS mothers kneaded pastries, children danced, declaimed… They presented theirs most beautiful smiles to the guests, rushed them in houses proudly, and showed how much they are grew up and how much they are prospered. Full of impression, as jolly sparrows, children babbled and commented everything what happened couple days…

Then, the air started to smell like a snow, atmosphere become peaceful, life was routine proceed. School, responsibility, learning, training of karate, volley ball, ballet…
One old, but again, new word, hovered trough the Village those days, together with several strayed snowflakes. Santa… children’s analysis starting: who was good this year, what was his wish, were they write letters with wishes on time, which ornament for Christmas three will buy, which special cakes mom will make…

Thank you for your generosity, on behalf of our children and SOS mothers, one more time. You help to every child’s heart feels delight, love and warmth. We are sending Lilac’s smell, couple of strayed snowflakes, the whit of chocolate from child’s small roguish finger immersed in the pie and lot, lot of love to make you lovely coming holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Vesna Mraković-Jokanović
Village Director
SOS Children’s Village - Kraljevo