THE THIRD GROUP OF CHILDREN WITHOUT PARENTAL CARE ARRIVES FROM GREECE

Belgrade, 25 August 2003 – TRH Crown Prince Alexander II and Crown Princess Katherine arrived at Belgrade Airport today together with the group of 20 orphans from the Homes for children without parental care from all over Serbia, who came back from their two week holiday in Greece, organized through mediation of Princess Katherine.

This is the third group of children and it consists of 20 children from the Homes from Uzice, Vranje, Bela Crkva and Krusevac. The children spent two weeks in Athens, in the camp “Agios Andreas”, as the guests of the City of Athens.

The Foundation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine, with the help from local donors, provided the children with new clothes, shoes and pocket money for their stay in Greece. Our national airline company “JAT” provided free tickets for the children.

Upon arrival, happy children full of impressions, told to the media that they had great time swimming, riding bicycles, taking day trips and learning about Greece.

Young Dusan from the Home “Vera Radivojevic” from Bela Crkva, the most courageous among the children, told to the gathered reporters:

“It was great. We spent time on the beach, we swam, went to day trips. I liked Acropolis the most. I thank to Princess Katherine for making our journey possible.”

A teacher from Bela Crkva also thanked to the Foundation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine and the Princess herself for the warm welcome in Greece, hospitality and good organization. She added that it was the first time for many of the children to be at the seaside.

Then the present were addressed by the Princess who expressed her special thanks to all the donors and the general manager of “JAT” Mr. Predrag Vujovic who provided the tickets for the children.

“My husband Crown Prince Alexander and I are very happy to have escorted the children from Athens to Belgrade. I hope we will be able to organize their holiday next year, too”, said Princess Katherine.

Their Royal Highnesses then delivered presents to the children, donated by private donors and “Zoe” shop from Crete. The happy children sang together “The whole Yugoslavia dances to rock and roll”, not hiding their impatience share the impressions with their friends from the Homes.

A total of 70 children from our country traveled to Greece this summer, through mediation of the Foundation of HRH Crown Princess Katherine and “Lifeline Hellas” humanitarian organization whose patron is HRH Crown Princess Katherine.

This project was supported by the Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Gordana Matkovic with her associates, City Hall of Belgrade and the Mayor, Mrs. Radmila Hrustanovic.