Oscar Nominee Djimon Hounsou and Kimora Lee Simmons Visit SOS Children's Villages in South Africa

Organization's Supporters Meet with SOS Children and Families in Cape Town during 2010 FIFA World Cup

WASHINGTON, June 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SOS Children's Villages, a global organization that focuses on family-based, long-term care of children, welcomed acclaimed actor Djimon Hounsou and his wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, to its Village in Cape Town, South Africa. The couple toured the area, visited with the children, and expressed their support for SOS Children's Villages worldwide.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100629/DC28311)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100629/DC28311)

In his visit to the SOS Village in Cape Town, Hounsou expressed his support for the organization:

"SOS Children's Villages is fantastic. SOS gives children a strong family connection and helps them to dream big...of a brighter future. As I watch the World Cup athletes who are so focused and dedicated, I appreciate that SOS Children's Villages is helping children who would otherwise only be dreaming of their next meal, to feel the security that allows them to dream bigger dreams...like one day competing in the World Cup."

Marcia Cannon, Acting Village Director for SOS - Cape Town added: "The visit from Djimon and Kimora was incredible! The children performed three dances to welcome the couple who spent the afternoon at the SOS Village. Djimon thanked the children for their presentation and encouraged them to continue with their performing arts – 'as they were fantastic'.   He also thanked the SOS Mothers, especially for their commitment and the time invested in the lives of their children.  Kimora presented the children with gifts, which absolutely thrilled them."

Hounsou's relationship with SOS Children's Villages runs deep. In 2006, Hounsou first visited a SOS Children's Village in Mozambique during the filming of the Oscar-nominated Blood Diamond. In the years since, he has been an avid SOS supporter, exemplified through his partnership with SOS via the Cartier Love Bracelet.  

In addition, SOS Children's Villages has been supported by FIFA both nationally and internationally, which has played an important role in encouraging further partnerships between national football associations and the 132 national offices of SOS Children's Villages around the world.

"During this exciting time of the World Cup, our SOS children in South Africa were delighted to be visited by Djimon and Kimora," Heather Paul, CEO of SOS Children's Villages -USA.  "Having been born in Benin, Djimon knows full well the hardships that many African children suffer.  Civil war, extreme poverty, or HIV/AIDS are the conditions that steal families away from children who need them most. SOS has a mission to provide these children with a family once more.  Djimon has seen our work in other parts of Africa, and we are very honored to have his support now."

For more information on SOS Children's Villages and its work within South Africa, please go to www.sos-usa.org.

About SOS Children's Villages

For 60 years, SOS Children's Villages has been dedicated to providing family-based, long-term services to children without parental care, who can no longer grow up with their biological families. They also focus on preventing the conditions that cause children to be orphaned and abandoned. Through their Children's Villages, Family Strengthening Programs, and other initiatives, SOS impacts the lives of over 1 million people each year. In 2009, SOS Children's Villages received the Save the World Award. SOS has also received numerous honors including the Mother Teresa Gold Medal, the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, and the Vietnam Friendship Medal.  For more information about SOS Children's Villages, visit www.sos-usa.org.

SOURCE SOS Children's Villages