In Memory of Mr. Helmut Kutin
Helmut Kutin, the long-serving president of SOS Children’s Village, a humanitarian organization that supports children, has passed away in Thailand at the age of 82 on April 23, 2024. Born in 1941 in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy, he dedicated his life to uplifting the lives of those in need. His tenure as the President of SOS Children’s Villages International lasted 27 years, succeeding Dr. Hermann Gmeiner, the founder of SOS Children Villages.
I received the news of Mr. Kutin’s passing from my beloved Aunt Liu, my spiritual mother from the Yantai SOS Children’s Village in China where I grew up. Reflecting on his life, I found a poignant description in the announcement for the 2001 Humanitarian Award from World of Children:
Helmut Kutin has dedicated the past three decades of his life to providing permanent homes and loving families to abandoned, abused and neglected children throughout the world. Kutin is president of SOS-Kinderdorf International, an organization that provides abandoned, abused and neglected children with permanent homes in SOS Children’s Villages. Kutin himself lived as an orphan at the world’s first SOS Children’s Village in Imst, Tyrol, Austria, where he arrived at age 12 in 1953.
Among his accomplishments are the establishment of the first Vietnamese SOS Children’s Village, located in Go Vap, Saigon, and the first two villages in the People’s Republic of China. Under Kutin’s guidance, nearly 200 SOS Children’s Villages have been built around the world.
He was a god-like existence in my youth. I vividly recall his two visits during my nine-year tenure at Yantai SOS Children’s Village, especially the elaborate welcoming ceremonies etched deeply in my memory. Mothers and children alike would line up at the entrance to greet him, their anticipation palpable. As he entered, his infectious smile, boundless enthusiasm, and inherent kindness radiated from him. But what struck me most were his handshake that exuded strength, hope, and love in equal measure.
That, however, was the extent of my direct interaction with him. During those years, I was engulfed in personal turmoil and the typical struggles of adolescence, leaving little room for broader awareness. It’s only now that I realize the profound impact he had on the lives of thousands of children. Just considering life without the Children’s Village gives me pause.
One thing became clear to me during all my travels: the child’s greatest need is not belonging to anyone. The lack of education, food and clothing is easier for a child to endure than being alone, without a home, without belonging.
— Helmut Kutin
Under the protective care of the Children’s Village, from the age of ten to twenty-three, I completed my education from elementary school to university in Shanghai. This stable environment and educational opportunities laid the bedrock for my subsequent life and development in the United States. While I once viewed my upbringing in the Children’s Village as a period fraught with challenges, I’ve since come to terms with the past. Instead, I now embrace it with acceptance and gratitude.
Auntie Liu has been an indelible influence on me, serving as a guide on my spiritual journey. Since encountering her at age eighteen and delving into traditional Chinese culture, my life has undergone a profound transformation. Even today, she remains a beacon in my life, embodying Mr. Kutin’s spirit.
When I share my experiences at the Children’s Village with my American friends, they often remark on how fortunate I was compared to many disadvantaged children even in the United States, who often face unstable living conditions and safety concerns. Hearing their perspective only deepens my appreciation for the care and support the Children’s Village provided to my sister and me after we lost our parents at a young age.
Recently, in conversation with a friend from South Africa, he mentioned the SOS Children’s Village near his home and the two children who grew up there that are like brothers to him. This fills me with immense pride to be part of such an international family. Mr. Kutin has truly spearheaded a philanthropic movement that transcends borders and uplifts thousands of children of all backgrounds.
In this moment, I’m embraced by the warmth of his compassionate spirit, a quality that could enrich anyone’s life. Love has the remarkable ability to illuminate even the darkest of times, and Mr. Kutin’s legacy is a testament to this. As one of the many children he nurtured, I am determined to uphold his legacy and spread the same love and kindness he exemplified.
Below is a testimony and personal reflection on Mr. Kutin from my aunt Ms. Jianru Liu, former house mother of House #3 in Yantai SOS Children’s Village, China.
You are the epitome of philanthropy, embodying the very essence of compassion and generosity. As the long serving president of international SOS Children’s Village, you stand as the father figure for children in the Villages worldwide and serve as a pillar of strength in the hearts of SOS mothers across the globe. Your global travels, visiting every SOS village in every country, brought joy and laughter to children of diverse backgrounds. While the media has documented much about your endeavors, it fails to fully capture the depth of your love for the children and the respect and understanding you showed to the mothers. This respect and understanding facilitated a seamless transition for us, moving from professional roles to embracing the nurturing role of motherhood.
I still vividly recall our first encounter. You remarked that I resembled more of a teacher than a mother. Eight years later, during a ring ceremony, I was unexpectedly called upon to speak, feeling apprehensive. However, witnessing the excitement in the media and the approval of my colleagues, I found courage. It was then that you swiftly approached, offering words of encouragement in English, solidifying my transition from professional to mother.
Our last meeting remains etched in my memory. It was shortly after my early retirement due to illness. You navigated through the crowd, surprised to see me, and warmly clasped my hands, greeting me slowly in Chinese, “Ni Hao”! As our group bid farewell, your smile and wave were accompanied by a farewell in Chinese. Moments later, your assistant discreetly presented me a retirement watch. I felt sentimental. Without me knowing it, another transition in roles took place.
Why emphasize role changes? What significance do these transitions hold? Because as SOS mothers, we lacked the conventional experience of marriage and childbirth. Our time in the SOS Village presented many challenges.
Following retirement, I often pondered whether my tenure as an SOS mother amounted to failure. However, my mentor reassured me: “It was not a failure. Your displays of temper and discipline, though occasionally stern, were genuine expressions of maternal love. Despite any initial misunderstandings, the children would never harbor resentment towards you.”
This reality has been reaffirmed countless times. Just days ago, a stranger arrived bearing a bouquet of flowers. “Who are you?” I inquired. To my surprise, it was one of the frail children I had once raised, later returned to his hometown. For years, I had wondered about his fate. “Mom, I’m sorry.” “No, the fault is mine. I was young and inexperienced then, but I’ve learned since.” “Mom, it’s my fault. From the moment I left the village, I began to reflect. It’s been sixteen or seventeen years, and every year I circled the village, unable to muster the courage to enter. I was too ashamed to face you, yet I returned each year. Finally, this year, I found the courage to see you.” “Did I impact your life?” I queried. “Yes, unequivocally,” he affirmed.
Such is the impact of the SOS family.
Over the years, Zhang Xusheng’s (note: Aunt Liu’s best friend, currently house mother of House #14 in Yantai Children’s Village) children consistently brought double gifts whenever they visited her. “You needn’t do this for me; give them to your mother,” I’d insist. Yet, my children, I accepted whatever gifts they offered.
This is the gift bestowed upon us by the SOS Children’s Village family — the enduring bond between children and mothers.
The children bring solace to my heart. While they may lack material wealth, they have become independent and contributing members of society. This stems from the ethos of the SOS Children’s Village family you championed. In SOS Children’s Villages worldwide, every child bears the imprint of your paternal love, a legacy that forever flows through their veins.
Following retirement, I navigated the transition to living alone. I’ve continued to emulate your example, extending a helping hand to those in need. Your respect and understanding resonate in the hearts of every mother. This is the legacy you bestowed upon us, one we pledge to pass on.
Now that you have departed, we deeply feel and strive to embody the respect and understanding you imparted to us. We will honor your memory by upholding the spirit of SOS Children’s Village throughout our lives.
Below is a testimony on Mr. Kutin and the impact of the SOS Children’s Village from my husband, Captain Roger W Chamberlin.
I was fortunate to visit the village once several years ago. I was struck by the mission it accomplishes. The children were focused and well-disciplined with a daily routine of productivity, combined with periods of exercise, rest and reflection. I enjoyed my time walking with the children exploring the outer edges of the facility. I was mesmerized by the brass bust of the founder Dr. Hermann Gmeiner and the story of his dedication and vision.
My wife attended the village as a child and has blossomed in her adult life here with me in the United States. She still stays deeply connected to her mentor and advisor whom we lovingly refer to as Aunty. She was a great blessing for her then, and continues to be so to us in our present day life.
The vision and dedication of a few have led to the saving of many a dear young child left to face life alone and under tragic circumstances. I hope the next steward will continue to effectively and compassionately serve the community of needy children well into the future. It is truly a beacon of hope and the only option for many disadvantaged children.
