UAE's initiative for orphans and minors opens participation for individuals and families

DUBAI, 21st June, 2015 (WAM) – With Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, giving a clarion call to take care of orphans and minors in such a way that the UAE emerges as a role model, the Higher Committee for "The UAE Initiative for Connecting with Orphans and Minors" has facilitated procedures enabling individuals and families to volunteer to help this section of the populace. Emirati individuals and families from across the country can log onto the website of the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation www.amaf.gov.ae to register their information. Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gargawi, Minister for Cabinet Affairs, and also Chairman of the initiative's Higher Committee, said, ''Today we open the door for participation of Emirati individuals and families to build the UAE's first data base for making provision of social and developmental needs of orphans and minors. As part of the initiative, we will forge partnerships with a group of stakeholders, and other programmes and initiatives as well as specialists to engage them through the orphans and minors' academy which will play a vital role in providing developmental and knowledge requirements for this segment.'' Sheikh Mohammed yesterday launched the new initiative with the aim to fulfil the needs of these segments at multiple levels through a various alternatives, involving individuals and families interested in taking part in the effort. The new initiative continues H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid's tradition of launching social and charity initiatives during Ramadan. The initiative provides three alternatives for young Emiratis willing to contribute towards caring for orphans and minors. These include fraternal connections to provide guidance and good advice, taking care of orphaned and minor students for a certain number of class hours, and setting up common interest groups to engage orphans and minors in activities like swimming and biking. Interested families wishing to take part in the initiative also have three alternatives. First, a family can either regularly host an orphan or a minor for half a day to provide them with a friendly family atmosphere. Second, a group of interested families can regularly meet with a group of orphans or minors at public places. Third, fathers and mothers can volunteer to be guardians of orphans and minors whereby they can contact their schools to follow up on their performance. Elderly people can also contribute to the initiative either through connecting with orphans and minors at senior care homes or acting as grandfathers. – Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395282150917.html