JEDDAH, 2 March 2005 — It’s not unusual to hear of a fund-raising event for orphans, but when you hear of young orphans raising money for those they consider to be less fortunate, you realize what an incredible asset these youngsters are to the nation. More than 100 orphans took part in a rare charity event that they organized recently in Jeddah for the benefit of prisoners’ families.
Titled “Children’s Charity to Support Prisoners’ Families,” the event was held with the help of Social Nursery Association of the Ministry of Social Affairs under the guidance of Princess Abtaa bint Abdul Aziz.
The charity show presented the cultural heritage of different regions of the Kingdom, with each of five booths featuring unique handicrafts, costumes and ethnic foods. The products on show were made by the 107 orphans who participated in the event. They included handmade objects, such as decorated trash cans and napkin boxes.
An anti-terror awareness center drew attention as did a children’s cinema and a puppet show. The event also featured a face painting center, a charity plate and open buffet. All the proceeds went to help prisoners’ families. In addition to raising money, gifts were collected for the families, including food items, clothes and appliances.
The program sought to draw attention to the need to help dependents of prisoners.
Nora Al-Sheikh, the head of women’s supervisory office at the Ministry of Social Affairs, said that the idea of the charity event came from orphanage workers and the children themselves.
The idea was born when the orphans kept asking questions about prisoners’ children. They were constantly wondering why people were in prisons, who pays for their needs and who takes their children to school. Once those questions were answered the orphans developed sympathy for the prisoners’ children.
“Saudi Arabia is a rich and peaceful country. Our country calls for love and virtues,” said Princess Abtaa. “We as citizens have to be together in assisting any person in need of help. Each capable citizen is responsible to help those families and any poor person with at least as little as SR10.”
The princess said everyone should reach out to these people.
“More than 1,400 years ago, our religion conveyed the methods of childhood education because children are the future of any society — rich or poor. If we do not extend a helping hand these children would be raised in an ignorant community as criminals, thieves or drug addicts. By means of constant love, education and counseling they would grow up in a healthy atmosphere that would reform them.”
The princess suggested that the prisoners’ dependents look for decent jobs that will fulfill the needs of their children. “They cannot depend on charity or people’s help and sympathy forever.”
She also insisted that women should join the country’s labor force. “Every woman who is in need of work should seek a good job without crossing the limits set by our religion,” she added.
Nora Al-Sheikh said that prisoners’ families are victims of circumstances and that they committed no crime. “The community should not blame the children for their parents’ mistakes,” she said. “On the contrary, we should do our best to raise these children to be good citizens.”
