Growing up in Austria during the Second World War, Maria Virjee knew a lot of orphans. While she was lucky to still have her mother, many of her classmates were left all alone, having lost their parents in the devastating conflict.聽
鈥淚 think that, for any child, it is very important to have that one person in his or her life who really, really cares,鈥 said Mrs. Virjee.
Following the end of the war, as Europe began to rebuild, SOS Children鈥檚 Villages (known as SOS Kinderdorf in German) began constructing family-like homes in Austria where orphaned children could live and be nurtured by caring and trained women. These homes were places where the orphans would be provided with nutritious food, an excellent education and healthcare, but, more importantly, the ability to be children again.
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鈥淚 thought, 鈥榃hat a good idea.鈥 Every culture knows the concept of family, whatever family may look like. They know what a difference it makes for children to grow up in a family,鈥 explained 聽Mrs. Virjee, who immediately started making donations to the organization. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 much, but I sent what I could.鈥
Maria and her late husband Minoo visiting an SOS Village in India.
SOS Children鈥檚 Villages 91原创
It was a commitment that continued into the 1960s, when Mrs. Virjee, who had by then emigrated to 91原创, would still send donations back to Austria. It was only when 91原创 launched its own SOS Children鈥檚 Villages in 1969, that she began volunteering, donating and sponsoring children through it instead.
鈥淚 believed so passionately in giving orphaned children a forever home that I leapt right in to help,鈥 she said.
More than five decades later, Mrs. Virjee is still donating money and her time to SOS Children鈥檚 Villages, which now offers safe and nurturing family homes to more about 70,000 orphaned and other vulnerable children in more than 130 countries and territories around the world 鈥 ensuring their needs for food, health and shelter are met.
And through more than 700聽SOS Family Strengthening Programs, this organization helps families stay together and prevent child abandonment. From counselling to skills development, parents and communities are empowered to best care for their children.聽
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鈥淚鈥檝e sponsored a number of SOS children over the years 鈥 four sets now in total,鈥 said Mrs. Virjee. 鈥淢y late husband, Minoo, and I sponsored a brother and sister in the first SOS Village built in India. We went to visit them one time, and boy, I hope that you can visit an SOS Village one day. The joy that we witnessed, and the laughter, will stay with me for the rest of my days. I have seen with my own eyes many children given chances they would otherwise never have.鈥
聽Mrs. Virjee said deciding to make a gift to the organization in her will was easy, since it means orphaned and other vulnerable children will be helped and given back childhoods filled with love and guidance, well beyond her own lifetime.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 the legacy I want to leave,鈥 she said.
To learn more about SOS Children鈥檚 Villages 91原创 and how you can make a legacy gift to help change a child鈥檚 life, please visit .
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