The Girls Orphanage: Repainted and Brought Into Focus [Archives:1999/28/Culture]

The embassies usually give large receptions for the celebration of their national day. This year, the idea took hold among the U.S. Embassy employees that it would be better to spend the money on a good cause. As a result, volunteers from the American Embassy in Sanaa painted the First Girls Orphanage on Wednesday, July 7. This initiative by the U.S. Embassy employees is actually laudable, for instead of wasting money, it is better to do something that is good for the general public. In fact, the event is an example of volunteerism, an important part of civil society. We wish that our government officials would take this initiative as an example and help their needy people. We hope also that the government will redirect the money spent on celebrations of our endless national holidays. 
The event was attended by a large number of people and media representatives. On this occasion, Dr. Chris Eccel, Public Affairs Officer, United States Information Service, American Embassy, Sanaa talked to Yemen Times about the event: “Every year we normally have a big reception, and a lot of people come. Of course, it costs a lot of money. However, we decided to do something useful this year instead of doing the same annual routine. So, we thought it would be nice if we repainted the first girls orphanage, and it would be a much more useful thing to do. We hope with the coming of the Yemen Times that some attention will be paid to this orphanage. They are doing good work here.”  
In appreciation of the work of the Americans and the employees of their embassy, Engineer Yasameen Al-Awadi, Director of the First Girls Orphanage, said: “These people have been working very hard on painting and making some drawings on the walls. They also brought some presents, dolls and food for lunch for the orphan girls. This is actually a very happy day for the girls who participated in the activities. They really enjoyed it. In fact, the important thing was that the girls felt happy to see all the people around them, supporting, encouraging and approving their performance.”
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