“For not repressing orphans”International Orphan’s Day, a festival of mercy [Archives:2007/1039/Last Page]
April 5 2007
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Iman was an orphan selling gum on the streets, pleading, “Please sir, buy some gum from me. I'm an orphan and I need money to eat. I'm hungry.” On the street, she was treated inhumanely and at night, both the dark and dogs attacked her. Now one of the orphans living in a family atmosphere at Dar Al-Rahma Orphanage in Sana'a, Iman has tried hard to forget those dark days.
Yemen celebrated International Orphan's Day Sunday at the Moevenpick Hotel. Dar Al-Rahma Foundation for Human Development Orphanage arranged the festival, attended by President Ali Abdullah Saleh, as well as numerous businessmen and sponsors.
Ruqaiyah Al-Hajri, head of the orphanage, explained the importance of caring for orphans, describing the facility's activities, from receiving the orphans to bringing them up.
The number of beneficiaries currently stands at 400 male and female orphans, with plans to increase the number to 1,000 at the beginning of 2008. In this regard, Al-Hajri called upon donors to support the charitable and humanitarian project.
She suggested a project to find a fixed income for the orphans, saying, “The project is based on fixed monthly allowances or endowment shares from individuals, agencies, institutions, companies or anyone wishing to have an endowed share in the investment project.”
President Saleh ordered supporting the orphanage with a free tract of land to build more orphanages, in addition to increasing government support from YR 200,000 to YR 500,000 per month. He further directed the Yemeni government allocate YR 500 million for the first stage of building the orphanages, confirming his government's intent to establish a number of orphanages in those governorates lacking such centers.
Some attending dignitaries and businessmen pledged donations to build Al-Rahma's investment project for orphans. Saleh Al-Awliqi, engineer of the investment project, briefly introduced the approximate $10 million project, which will consist of 11 floors of offices and three floors for commercial stores and other Al-Rahma investment projects.
The project's outcome will guarantee the orphans a fixed income to provide all of their needs for a better life.
At Dar Al-Rahma, numerous orphans fortunately have found merciful hearts and received the chance to build their skills and capacities. However, large numbers of children remain on the street, suffering all types of inhumane treatment and life.
Will the Yemeni community intensify its protection for these children? Do street children and orphans have the right to seek a safe life and a better future? Only the coming days will tell.
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