SPEECH BY H.E.

MARGARET KENYATTA, FIRST LADY

OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA DURING THE 10 TH
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS AND CHARITY WALK
FOR SOS CHILDRENS VILLAGE MERU.

Children of SOS Village, Meru,

Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to join you today as we

celebrate the 10thAnniversary of the SOS Childrens Village
in Meru.
May I start by congratulating all of you who took part in
the celebration walk this morning.

I thank you for the warm welcome! I always enjoy visiting

the SOS Childrens Villages and fondly remember my
inaugural visit to the SOS Childrens Village Nairobi when I
accepted the patronage of this great organization.

Last year, I visited the SOS Childrens Villages Kisumu

during the launch of the CARE FOR ME campaign during
the SOS Day.

When I took up the role of Patron of SOS Childrens

Villages Kenya, I was filled with pride owing to the timeless
values the Organisation stands for and the great
milestones it has achieved in its 42-year history.

We gather here today to mark another milestone in that

long journey.

As an organization we have demonstrated over and over

again that the best possible way to bring up a child who
has lost their family is to give him or her a new family that
provides safety within a strong lifelong relationship.
We have been successful in this regard because we
believe that such child is a person; an individual human
being and not a file or a number.

I am aware that, SOS Childrens Village in Meru today

supports 129 Children and over 1000 in the community
through various outreach programmes.

I am also aware that the Village runs a vibrant

Kindergarten that not only serves the SOS Children but
also is open to children from the local community.

In the last 10 years we have reached out to more and

more
children
through
our
SOS
Childrens
Villages covering all aspects of care, education and
health.

The
quality
of
care
and
support
offered
by
the SOS Villages offers the children emotional security and
the opportunity to develop new and lasting relationships
within the SOS family as well as their families of origin.

It is essential that every child understands that he or she

has a home - not only in beautiful buildings, but
particularly in the hearts and minds of the SOS
mothers, co-workers and everyone who is part of the SOS
family.

This is what we should cherish today, as we celebrate

10 years of our existence.

I urge you, as you receive your awards today, to continue

with the discipline, and spirit of commitment to care and
support the SOS children.
The challenge ahead requires more concerted efforts.
Today, there are more than 3 million orphans and
vulnerable children in Kenya; I am convinced that we have
the means and know-how to lend support to these
children. And urge for greater partnership between SOS
Childrens Villages Kenya and other like-minded
organizations, together with government both at county
and national level.
I congratulate the board of trustees, management & staff
of SOS Childrens Villages as we celebrate 10 years of the
SOS Childrens Village Meru; and applaud your positive
spirit as you continue to serve the future of our nation.
Finally, before I conclude, I wish to remind you that
October is Cancer month. I urge the people of Meru
County, and the people of Kenya, go for screening. Early
screening of any cancer saves lives.

Asanteni sana.