Crowds attend opening ceremony in Cambodia

21/01/2003 - On 20 January the Prime Minister Sam Dech Hun Sen along with SOS Children's Village President Helmut Kutin officially dedicated the SOS Children's Village Angkor-Siem Reap to the children of the Royal Kingdom of Cambodia. From very early in the morning, students from the neighbouring schools and colleges started arriving for the function which was well attended by over 5,000 people. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, member of senate and President of SOS Children's Villages of Laos, came to Siem Reap to participate in the opening ceremony. A large group of friends of SOS Children's Villages from Sweden also travelled to Siem Reap to participate in the festivities.

The Prime Minister upon arrival cut the ribbon at the entrance to the SOS Children's Village along with Mrs. Ingemo Bonnier, chairperson from SOS Children's Village Sweden, and President Kutin, and also unveiled the plaque. Later, the Prime Minister visited the Hermann Gmeiner House where he showed interest in the children's education and sat with a girl reading the school book. After a short walk around the village, he left having spent nearly two hours at the SOS Children's Village.

Further details about SOS Children's Village Angkor-Siem Riep, which is now home to 47 children living in eight family houses, can be found in our news dated 17 January 2003.