THE Clodia Katsarathe woman who in 1975 founded in Greece the SOS Children’s Villagespassed away a few days ago, leaving her colleagues and those who knew her in mourning.

“We say goodbye to Klontia Katsara, Founder and Honorary President of SOS Children’s Villages of Greece. Klontia Katsara envisioned, in 1975, a better future for children in need and, operating quietly and discreetly, brought to our country the idea of ​​the “family type of care” of the humanitarian Dr. Hermann Gmeiner, founding SOS Children’s Villages and creating the first SOS Children’s Village of Vari.

Her meaningful and rich social work and her memory will forever be etched in the hearts and memories of the hundreds of children who grew up near us, but also to all of us as a bright example of altruism and giving” SOS Children’s Villages state in their announcement.

Clodia Katsara, as a friend and member of the SOS Children’s Villages in France, came to Greece with a big dream and a specific purpose: to create an SOS Children’s Village in our country as well, for the children who could not grow up, for various grounds, close to their parents.

With the support of her few friends, who were entrusted with her vision and who were the 21 founding members of the Association, with stubbornness and persistence in the cause she wanted to serve, she began a persistent effort, defying the limits of procrastination and bureaucracy, it is reported on the Children’s Villages website.

“I remember one day he visited us, as he used to, in Vari. That morning, little George, 18 months old at the time, was crying, and we couldn’t stop his crying. He took him in his arms, told him that his tears were precious… He collected with his finger the tears that flowed down his cheeks and, holding him in his arms, told him that with these tears they would together water the flower that was growing next to the window. And he did. He watered the flower with George’s tears and the little boy was so impressed that he stopped crying. The most expensive water in the world is a tear. His recommendation? 1% water and 99% emotion” says Nikolitsa, the first SOS Mother of the SOS Children’s Village of Vari.

“When she was once asked what prompted her to create the SOS Children’s Villages in Greece, she gave the answer completely spontaneously and naturally. She could not sleep peacefully when she knew that somewhere a child was alone in a ward. Modest, selfless, generous, away from personal promotion with innate kindness and culture, she worked tirelessly to consolidate the idea and create the first SOS Children’s Village in our country. Those of us who had the great pleasure of experiencing her and having her share her enthusiasm and inspiration, we are grateful.” Anne K.

File photo: Klondia Katsara between the then President of the Republic, Konstantinos Tsatsos, his wife Ioanna Tsatsos and the architect, Vassilis Hatzipanos, who designed the SOS Vari Children’s Village, in front of the original model of the Village