DUBAI, 16 May 2008 — An exhibition of paintings and handicrafts made by orphans from around the world began yesterday at the municipal headquarters in Dubai.

The exhibition, which is organized in association with the Ajman-based Human Appeal International, is part of the municipality’s activities to mark International Day of the Family, which falls on May 15. It showcases some 60 paintings and handicrafts by orphans in countries, such as Palestine, Iraq, Bosnia, Lebanon, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan and Senegal besides the UAE.

While inaugurating the weeklong exhibition, Hussain Nasser Lootah, acting director general of Dubai Municipality, said the event would encourage orphans from around the world to express their creative skills despite the difficult situations they are going through.

Ahmed Yousuf Al-Awadhi, assistant secretary-general of Human Appeal International, said the paintings originally came as entries for a creative contest for orphans. Winning entries included those that traced the difficult circumstances children go through on a daily basis in conflict areas. “Children’s responses have been overwhelming; there were many creative minds among them,” he said.

He noted that the organization is currently sponsoring more than 37,700 orphans in various parts of the world.