Orphans to get early Eidiya gifts at annual UAE charity event

DUBAI //Hundreds of children will receive Eidiya gifts early when the Dar Al Ber Society hosts its eighth Orphans Ceremony on Friday.

The annual event will bring together 250 orphans from across the country at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Twenty orphans from other countries are being flown in to attend.

"This ceremony is very important to us," said Mohammed Al Hammadi, a society board member and head of the charitable projects sector. "Not only does it show what we do to help orphans, how much they need the help, and where the donations go, it also boosts the morale of every member of the society and makes us work harder."

Dar Al Ber sponsors more than 1,000 orphans in the UAE and 26,750 orphans in 26 countries worldwide. The charity also supports thousands of families in need in the UAE and globally.

The annual Orphans Ceremony is sponsored by Sheikha Hind bint Maktoum, wife of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

"Thanks to Sheikha Hind, these children will receive their Eidiya at the start of Ramadan before any other children have received theirs," Mr Al Hammadi said.

Hussain M Al Balooshi, manager of the orphans and needy families support department, said they supported orphans until the age of 16.

"At that point we still support and aid them, just not through our orphans budget. We find other means of aid," he said.

"When it comes to education, we sponsor from the nursery to doctorate level," Mr Al Balooshi said. "Our priority goes to students in the UAE, but we have also sponsored many from other countries as well.

"Many times we look at what type of education they are seeking and try to find a way they can also contribute to the society once they have completed their studies."

Mr Al Hammadi said education was one of Dar Al Ber's highest priorities, along with health care. "We have allocated the largest portion of our budget to these fields," he said.

Friday's ceremony will be a chance to praise orphans for their achievements. A number of children will be presenters at the ceremony.

malkhan@thenational.ae