Many high-ranking representatives of SOS Children's Villages Jordan as well as the village director in Aqaba, but first and foremost the SOS mothers and children warmly welcomed their guest.
Margit Fischer, who was accompanied by an Austrian delegation, was all ears for the president of SOS Children's Villages in Jordan Mr. Ali Krayim, who explained the work of SOS Children's Villages in Jordan and stressed how important it was that Jordan and Austria had a good relationship.
The First Lady then admired the art work the children had crafted from waste goods they had collected in the framework of a project for the protection of the environment called "Clean the World 2008." A little boy presented her with a picture he had painted. The welcoming ceremony also featured a group of children from the SOS Children's Village in Irbid who performed a traditional dance. Ms. Fischer also visited a family house and the SOS Kindergarten, taking her time to talk to mothers and children.
To commemorate her visit, Ms. Fischer signed the guest book and received a plaque from the director of SOS Children's Villages Jordan and the village director, as well as a photograph the children had all signed. But of course, Margit Fischer had not come empty-handed: she had brought the children of SOS Children's Village Aqaba a top-notch keyboard, a generous and wise present that will ensure her visit will have a truly resounding effect for years to come!
Heinz and Margit Fischer have supported the work of SOS Children's Villages for years and have visited the organisation's facilities on a number of occasions. For instance, the president of Austria attended the celebration commemorating the 50th anniversary of the SOS Children's Village in Hinterbrühl, Lower Austria in 2007.