Princess Lalla Hasna dedicates new SOS-village near Casablanca

Morocco's Princess Lalla Hasna, sister of King Mohammed VI, dedicated on Monday a new SOS children village at Dar Bouazza (17 km south of Casablanca).

President of the SOS-Kinderdorf International (Federation of SOS-villages around the world), Helmut Kutin, was present at the dedication ceremony.

The princess heard explanation on projects already carried out or underway by the Moroccan association of SOS-village, set up in 1984.

The princess then toured the center facilities, kindergarten, education workshops and a model family home.

The center currently hosts 11 family homes, 62 children (including 26 girls) and is scheduled to accommodate 90 children by end 2002. It is the third village of the kind in Morocco. A total of 150 persons are working for these villages, including 35 mothers and 16 taunts and managers-fathers.

It was also announced that the construction of a center for handicapped persons, close to the SOS village, started in January 2001.

Princess Lalla Hasna distributed honor knight distinctions granted to five mothers by SOS-Kinderdorf International.