Meet the first Asian SOS mum - Lucy Ann

Lucy Ann joined the SOS Children's Village Daegu in South Korea as an SOS Mother in 1964. She raised 22 children during her 25 years of service as an SOS mother. She received many accolades, including the "Letter of Daegu Mayor Commendation" in 1976 and 1993, the "Letter of Meritorious Service" from SOS Children's Villages in 1988, and the "Letter of Gyeongsnagbuk-Do Governor Commendation" in 1981. She has been living at the retirement home in SOS Children's Village Daegu since 1989.

SOS Children's Village Daegu is a home to 71 children. It was the first village established outside Europe after the sincere persuasion of Austrian social worker Maria Heissenberger posted in South Korea. Hermann Gmeiner started the famous "A Grain of Rice for Korea" campaign in 1961, which garnered tremendous response and, early in 1965, the village offered 84 children a home in ten family houses.

You are the first SOS mother in Korea and in Asia...

Lucy Ann: I feel honoured! It gives me immense happiness that I became the first SOS mother in Korea and in Asia.

Did you have to face any resistance when deciding to become an SOS mother?

Lucy Ann: In the early 1960s, when I told my parents that marriage was not on my mind, they became disappointed. In those days, no parent could approve of their daughters going unmarried. However, I told them that I wanted to be an SOS mother, and after much persuasion, they accepted my decision. Afterwards, on several occasions my parents and siblings visited and stayed with me. My father became very happy when he heard children calling me "Mom".

When a child left the Village to live at a youth house it must have been an emotional moment for you. And, especially when that moment repeated…

Lucy Ann: Whenever my children left my home it was a really painful moment for me; it was impossible to hold back the tears. But, somehow I was able to convince myself that they were going for the sake of their career to study further. I always used to visit youth houses and meet them.

All of your children are integrated well in the society...

Lucy Ann: Almost all of my children have been in touch with me. Everyday I receive calls on my telephone. Some of them who live nearby come and spend time with me. I always wait for the special days such as the Lunar New Year's Day, the Lunar Full Moon Day, my birthday and Mother's Day when most of my children try to arrange an appointment with me. It's really fulfilling for me. Most of my daughters come to me with nice and delicious food, or sometimes we go out for dinner or lunch at restaurants. My children invite me also when they organise functions or celebrations. We also love preparing Kimchi (pickles) together in large numbers which we use in the long winter season. I play with my grandchildren and spend a good time with them. One of my daughters, who married a Chinese, recently invited me to Taiwan for the holidays. I enjoyed it a lot and travelled to many places there.

Your happy moments at SOS Children's Village Daegu…

Lucy Ann: When my first child decided to marry I was full of excitement; I myself prepared and organised her wedding. And, it gives me a lot of happiness whenever there's a wedding in my family.I love outings and in holidays with all my kids I used to go to beaches or lakes spending time singing songs and making meals together. Christmas is another occasion I look forward to every year. At SOS Children's Village Daegu, all members of my family used to have a special and delicious dinner together. This tradition still is alive and my children make it a point to celebrate it together. My children's graduations also made me very happy, especially when one of my daughters graduated from university with honours back in those days.

Your favourite child!

Lucy Ann: I equally love all my children without any prejudice, but particularly one of my boys who came to me when he was just four month old. He was so little and cute; I still remember his small gestures. When he turned five he was re-united with his biological mother. Although the fact that he went back to his mother made me glad, I was left with a broken heart.

There have been a lot of changes in the SOS Children's Villages since you joined. How do you see this?

Lucy Ann: The basic principles are the same. SOS Children's Villages represents the same commitment towards the children. However, in the early 1960s, in Korea, which was one of the poorest countries in the world then, home appliances like the washing machine, the vacuum cleaner and the refrigerator were unheard of. I had to take care of nine children and do household chores with my bare hands. I also used to grow vegetables in our garden. Nowadays, with increasing prosperity and technological advancement, managing a home is rather easy and you have enough spare time to dedicate to other aspects.

What would be your suggestions for new SOS mothers

Lucy Ann: Nothing much. I want to tell new SOS mothers that they should just try to spend as much as time they can with children entrusted to their care; it would make both them and the kids happy.

Your unfulfilled wishes, if any?

Lucy Ann: I don't have any unfulfilled wish. I have lived my life very peacefully. Only one regret, that I did not have any say in the decision-making when it came to the future of my children. Nowadays, SOS mothers properly guide their children through different stages with the advice of co-workers and youth leaders involved in the children's development. Back in those days it was the village director who used to take all decisions regarding a child's future. My congratulations to all SOS children, SOS mothers, co-workers, and friends from all over the world on the 60th anniversary of SOS Children's Villages