DUBAI // Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid launched the UAE Initiative for Connection with Orphans and Minors on Friday and asked the public to care for orphans and volunteer in the programme.
The Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai announced the initiative via his Twitter account.
“We have launched today, with the grace of Allah, a community voluntary initiative for the care and support of orphans and minors in the UAE,” he said.
The initiative involves volunteers giving their time to orphaned minors. Young Emiratis can establish fraternal ties with the orphans and provide guidance and good advice, take care of the children for a certain number of class hours, or set up common interest groups to engage orphans in activities such as swimming and biking.
Families wishing to take part can regularly host an orphan for half a day to provide them with a friendly, family atmosphere, or a group of families can meet a group of orphans at public places, or fathers and mothers can volunteer to be guardians of orphans.
Sheikh Mohammed also said that elderly people can contribute by connecting with orphans at care homes or act as grandparents to the children.
“Our Emirati society is a global model of compassion and cohesion between all segments,” he said.
“This stems from our commitment to the tolerance of Islam, which encourages us to show mutual compassion to our national and Arab traditions. We want all members of the Emirati society to be part of the ongoing process of building the country. That is why we are always keen to extend support to all segments, including orphans and minors.
“The Holy Month of Ramadan is an opportunity for all of us to contribute a small part of our time to cater to the needs of orphans and minors and boost their role as an effective segment in our progress.
“I am confident that the people of the UAE will work as one team to build a global model in caring for orphans and minors.”
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