FAREWELL TO THE ORPHANS FROM SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO

Athens, 25 August 2003 - TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine left from Athens to Belgrade today, together with the twenty orphans from the Homes for children without parental care.

The children aged between 6 and 12 are orphans living in the Homes for children without parental care in Serbia and Montenegro, where they have few opportunities to travel and have fun. They stayed in summer camps of the Municipality of Athens, in the locality of Agios Andreas -Attica, for the period 11-25 August 2003.

This group of children was the third to arrive and stay in Greece, through mediation of “Lifeline Hellas” humanitarian organization whose patron is HRH Crown Princess Katherine. Two groups of children have already returned to Yugoslavia, having participated in programs at the Mandra of Attica (through the “Happy Children Happy Youth” association) and Syros Island (Karitas Hellas). Since 23 August the fourth group of 20 children have participated in a summer camp program in Fthiotida with the support of “Solidarity” (Non Governmental Organization of the Greek Orthodox Church, whose general manager is Mr. Dimitrios) and His Grace Bishop of Fthiotida. The bus tickets were a generous donation from “Alamanis Tours Agency”.

A total of 70 children have participated in summer camps programs in Greece, from the period of 5 July until 30 August 2003.

Princess Katherine is very grateful to the Municipality of Athens for hosting the children, to the Yugoslav Airlines (JAT), to the Hellenic Ministry of Transport and to the Athens International Airport Director for making their trip possible. Special thanks are also go to His Excellency, the Ambassador of Serbia and Montenegro to Greece, Mr. Batakovic. The presents upon the children’s’ arrival at the Belgrade airport were given by generous private donors and the “ZOE” shop from Agios Nicolas in Crete.