Helmut Kutin, the long serving President of SOS passes away at 82

By Tsering Dhundup

DHARAMSHALA, April 25: Helmut Kutin, the long-serving president of SOS Kinderdorf, a humanitarian organisation that supports children, has passed away in Thailand at the age of 82 on Tuesday. 

Kutin, born in 1941 in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy, 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.

SOS Children’s Villages, headquartered in Innsbruck, Austria, is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit international development organization. It provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to families facing difficulties and supports children and young people without parental care or at risk of losing it. The organization is active in over 130 countries and territories worldwide.

During his leadership, Kutin expanded the organization’s reach, providing homes and holistic care to orphaned and abandoned children globally. Kutin himself lived as an orphan at the world’s first SOS Children’s Village in Imst, Tyrol, Austria, arriving at age 12 in 1953.

Among Kutin’s achievements was the establishment of the first Vietnamese SOS Children’s Village in Go Vap, Saigon, and the first two villages in the People’s Republic of China. Under his guidance, nearly 200 SOS Children’s Villages have been built worldwide. His commitment extended to supporting Tibetan refugee children in exile. He met with H.H. the Dalai Lama and Ama Jetsun Pema on several occasions, drawing inspiration from their struggles and humble spirit.

SOS Children’s Village has been supporting The Tibetan Homes Foundation Schools as well TCV school since its inception in 1962, as well SOS TCV Ladakh school. THF held a prayer session for the Late Mr Kutin and wrote on its social media page paid homage to the late Helmut Kutin stating, “With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of Mr. Helmut Kutin, former president of SOS Children’s Villages International, whose profound impact resonated deeply within the Tibetan community and beyond. His unwavering dedication to the welfare of children has left an indelible mark on our collective conscience, and his passing leaves a void that can never be filled”.

Tibetan Children’s Village also paid tribute on their official social media page, stating, “Honoring Helmut Kutin, a beacon of compassion and tireless advocate for the welfare and education of underprivileged children worldwide, who peacefully passed away on April 23, 2024. His legacy as the former President of SOS Children’s Villages International, following in the footsteps of Dr Hermann Gmeiner, and as a steadfast friend and supporter of Tibetan Children’s Villages (TCV), shall forever illuminate the path of kindness and service”

It further stated, “In remembrance of Helmut Kutin, let us reaffirm our commitment to the cause he held dear – the pursuit of a world where every child, regardless of circumstance, is cherished, nurtured, and empowered to realize their fullest potential. We, the Tibetan Children’s Villages & School (TCV), mourn his loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, as well as to SOS International.”