European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 23, 1963, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Daily Magazine Gmeiner visits group of Happy children at Hinte Bruehl showpiece of the austrian sos children villages. House Mother Anno Mayer reads to her children. By Ernie Reed when a Parent less child who is frequently an unwanted problem youngster crops up in this Small mountainous country of about 7 million inhabitants the chances Are that he will Windup in one of Austria s six Well established sos Kinder Dorfer or children villages. And the chances Are also that because of the pleasant environment of the Normal family life he will undergo in one of the Well managed houses of these special Vil Lages he will grow into a useful citizen ready to assume in stride his civic responsibilities. The sos children villages which were started in Austria in 1949 and now have spread to West Germany France Italy Belgium and Switzerland have been the brainchild of a determined austrian Citi zen the genial 44-year-old Herman Gmeiner. Gmeiner a Man with a purpose and in a great hurry to better the plight of the world s homeless children was recently in new York and met with peace corps director and brother in Law of president Kennedy r. Sargent Shulver. To discuss the possibility of establishing similar villages in the under developed countries of Africa Asia and South America. While in new York the austrian humanitarian was awarded an honorary Doc Tor s degree by Fordham University. Ford Ham s president the Rev. J. Mcginley lauded Gmeiner As one of the world s great benefactors and declared that the theme of his life finds its Complete expression in the words suffer Little children to come unto me the austrian has won acclaim and Praise from Kings head of state the Pope and tuesday july 23, 1963 Albert Schweitzer who believes that Gmeiner should be Given the Nobel peace prize. It was while serving As a Soldier with the German army in world War ii tha Gmeiner became intensely interested in children. He was heart sick and disillusioned when he saw hundreds of ragged and homeless youngsters wandering about the european Countryside trying to scrounge food from garbage cans and from the streets and also not knowing where they were going to Lay their Heads to sleep that night. He made a vow to himself that once that he had shed his military clothes he was going to dedicate the rest of his life to bettering the plight of these unfortunate waifs. He kept his vow but it was not easy. It was a one Man idea and Gmeiner met with Many obstacles in getting his idea across to the then very bewildered austrian population. The devastation in the country in the Wake of the War gave the average citizen Many problems of his own. It required much patience and Persever Ance for Gmeiner to convince his fellow countrymen that they should pitch in and help others while they themselves were in needy plights. But Gmeiner who fortunately is blessed with both attributes never desisted from his determined course and after about four years he was Able to launch his first children s Village. Today the name of Gmeiner not Only i Austria but in other parts of the world is Able to stir generous donations for his worthwhile cause the monthly contributors number in the  s Basic theme for his villages it a simple one. He believes that a child must live with a family to prepare himself to take his rightful place in society. He feels that an orphaned child revolts against his surroundings when he feels that he has no place in society. By living a Good solid family life with a Mother and brother Sand Sisters around him he can be restored to his place in society. It is this idea that makes the Homes in the villages different from orphanages. Above All Gmeiner stresses that the love of a Mother is essential for a growing youngster. He realizes that the figure of a father is missing from his Homes but he believes that this Factor is not nearly As important As a Mother s love. He admit that not even the House mothers can fully replace the love of a real Mother. Each of the houses in the  usually has a family of eight children made up of both boys and girls has a supervising House Mother. The Chil Dren Call her  the mothers Are carefully selected and Are Only accepted after a thorough screening and observation. Many of them Are widows who have always loved children. The Success of the Home revolves on he expert management and supervision. She is almost always present in the Home. She Cooks sews prepares the menus and nurses the children through sick periods. The mothers Are Given a monthly allowance to take care of the operating expenses but what is bought is left entirely up to them. The showplace of the austrian so children villages is the one in Hinter Bruehl about 12 Miles South of Vienna in. The famous Vienna Woods. There Are the stars and strikes about 40 Well constructed neat houses inthe Hinte Bruehl Village although Gmeiner feels that none of his villages should have More than 20 Homes. The villages have Fine recreational Cen ters but no schools or churches. The Chil Dren go to the regular austrian schools outside of the villages. In this Way they can mingle with other youngsters. They make enduring outside friendships As Well As friends with youngsters from their own settlements. Gmeiner has stressed the religious neutrality theme in the villages. The Young sters Are encouraged to follow the Sam religion in which their parents if known were brought up. Gmeiner has declared we try to see that All of the children Are Given the Sam rights and responsibilities regardless of their religion. The important thing is that the child is Able to say this is my Home according to Gmeiner. Many leading european enterprises and numerous individuals including some Well known movie stars and entertainers Spon Sor new houses in the villages. Funds to pay the operating costs of the Homes later Are solicited by special Money raising drives and through the Sale of postcards and  children Are permitted to live in the Homes until they reach Trie age of 14. Then they Are usually sent to an apprentice school to learn a Trade or profession. How Ever the girl or boy retains the Protection of the Village until 19 years old. Many of the children come Back to the villages to renew warm friendships with their House mothers the Only mothers Many of them Ever have known. Page "