Children and mothers of the SOS Children's Village in Amman were overjoyed to receive the visit of a very special friend on 1 October: UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie had decided to drop by again, this time in the company of her partner, the actor Brad Pitt. While Ms. Jolie had already visited the village in 2003, committing to covering the running costs of one family house, it was the first time Mr. Pitt had ever been to an SOS Children's Village.
Having been invited by Her Majesty Queen Noor Al Hussein, who is the Honorary Chairman of SOS Children's Villages Jordan, the couple stated that they were having a wonderful time in Jordan with their children, and Ms. Jolie went on to say "The SOS model of providing care for children without parental care is one of the best, as they are still in a family setting within their own country. We hope more people learn about their programmes and give them support".
H.M Queen Noor Al Hussein introduced the SOS Children's Villages model to Jordan in 1983, and has worked tirelessly to help the organization flourish in Jordan ever since. "We are very grateful to her Majesty Queen Noor for all she has done for displaced Iraqis since 2003 and appreciate the dedication of King Abdullah and Queen Rania to their incredible humanitarian initiatives" added Angelina in recognition to the Royal family's effort.
In 2007, Angelina Jolie visited the SOS Children's Villages trauma therapy centre, which provides shelter, food and treatment for severely traumatised women and children who have escaped the horrors in Darfur. The centre is inside one of twelve refugee camps along the border between the Sudan and Chad. Ms. Jolie wanted to see the situation with her own eyes and make the international community aware of the plight of the people from Darfur. Just a few months later, SOS Children's Villages was one of three agencies working in Chad who received a one million dollar donation from the Jolie/Pitt Foundation.
Angelina Jolie promised to support the upcoming radio campaign of SOS Children's Villages "SOS!Childhood" by building awareness for the fact that childhood is at risk and that everybody should support this noble cause in every part of the world. The SOS!Childhood campaign will start late October 2009 and will last till early 2010, with campaigns to celebrate the 60th birthday of SOS Children's Villages taking place all over the world and being promoted by scores of radio stations worldwide.
Ms. Jolie was named a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001, has visited refugee camps all over the world, raised public awareness for the plight of refugees and displaced persons in regions of conflict and even created the Jolie/Pitt Foundation together with her partner, which donates money to humanitarian organisations seeking to relieve human suffering.
SOS Children's Villages is privileged to count such a dedicated humanitarian among its supporters and hopes to be able to welcome Ms. Jolie and her family again very soon.