Mannerheim League for Child Welfare

Mannerheim knew that poverty, inadequate living conditions, ignorance and outright indifference, and the resulting malnutrition, illness, and high mortality in children, had contributed to the events of 1917–1918.

As a regent, Mannerheim had found that a large proportion of the country's male youth did not pass a medical examination at call because of their poor physical condition.

The Children's Castle (Lastenlinna), which served as a shelter for single mothers, became the property of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare and its operations were radically changed.

Under the auspices of the League, a special Warfare Committee was established, which provided a large amount of funds, partly from Finland, but especially from abroad, to assist war orphans.

The foreign currency received as a gift was used to buy coffee and sugar from abroad, which were sold at a rather high price with the consent of the Finnish Government.

As a result of the uproar, Arvo Ylppö, who had been the subject of a violent accusation in connection with Sauramo's case, resigned as chairman of the central government of the League.

[5] After the councils moved to municipalities, the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare focused on training housekeepers and promoting healthy lifestyles.

The Children's Castle , located in Kallio, was inaugurated in October 1921 by the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare. On the front line from left to right: Bishop Jaakko Gummerus , Superintendent Sophie Mannerheim , her brother General C. G. E. Mannerheim , Superintendent Toini Leikola , and Professor Arvo Ylppö .
The Children's Castle's nurses and the hospital chief physician Arvo Ylppö (left) in 1921.
The Children's Castle in the 1950s.