Orphans get new home in Dubai

MORE information has been revealed about Dubai’s first orphanage - where 100 bereaved and abandoned children will be cared for.

The project is part of a Ramadan initiatives by the Ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The Family Village, as it will be known, was singled out by Sheikh Mohammed from thousands of online submissions.

It will feature 12 villas, a nursery for babies and children up to three years old and a kindergarten and clinic. It was proposed by the Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (AMAF).

Yesterday, its secretary general, Tayeb Abdulrahman Al Rais, told 7DAYS: “This is the first orphanage for Dubai, there has never been one before.

“I am very excited.”

Although it’s not finalised, it is likely that the Family Village will be built on land assigned by Sheikh Mohammed in Al Warqa.

Al Rais said: “We’d like to build the villas within the local environment, not in an industrial or abandoned area.”

The idea behind the new orphanage is to give parentless children an environment as close to family life as possible.

Each villa will have six bedrooms to cater for two to three children in each. They will have live-in, full-time helpers, known as ‘mothers’ and ‘aunties’, and the village will be overseen by a ‘grandmother’.

There are 2,560 children classed as orphans in Dubai, although these include children being brought up by extended family members.

Al Rais said: “The orphanage is not for those who have someone to look after them. It will be hosting kids who don’t have anybody at all.”

The organisation is looking for funding. Two prominent Dubai businessmen have already funded villas, but there are seven left. It is hoped the project will be completed within two years.

Visit www.www.amaf.gov.ae for more details.

myra@7days.ae