“Go out into the world today and love the people you meet. Let your presence light in the hearts of people.” So said Mother Teresa once.

She could well have been talking about orphans. It goes without saying that Mother Teresa was full of care and compassion for the needy, downtrodden and the underprivileged. She gave them full-on care, and fed and nursed them to health, and that includes orphans.

The UAE does not lag behind in care for this segment of society. On the other hand, it believes in empowering them.

In this respect, the move by Sheikh Ammar Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Charity Work Coordination Council, to issue Resolution No.2 for 2020 concerning Ajman’s orphan empowerment initiative, is very welcome.

The resolution was issued after a review of Federal Law No.2 for 2008 on public welfare associations and Emiri Decree No.9 for 2012 on the establishment of the Charity Work Coordination Council, in implementation of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, to launch an initiative that supports orphans and eases their burden. It stipulates that all charity associations, authorities and organisations, whether based in Ajman or have branches in the emirate and whether governmental, semi-governmental or non-profit, must help develop the capacities of orphans through continuous guidance and support.

They have to ensure their psychological, educational, financial and social well-being and enable them to live like all other community members. The resolution urged relevant strategic partners, whether federal ministries, authorities, hospitals, private schools, universities or companies, to help the initiative to empower orphans. It also applies to charity organisations and authorities established in Ajman, under local enforceable laws.

Ajman even has a festival for orphans, to lift their spirits.

His Highness Sheikh Humaid Bin Rashid has drawn attention to the UAE’s efforts in supporting orphans. Drawing attention to the UAE leadership’s commitment to orphan care and Islam’s teachings on the same, he said that “efforts to empower the orphans and helping them turn into active and productive members of the society are important.” His Highness added that “the Emirate of Ajman is doing everything it can to remove hurdles faced by orphans, and to meet their various needs.”

He spoke at length about orphan care in the UAE during his visit to the fourth Ajman Festival for Orphans last year.

The festival, attended by over 150 orphans and organised by the emirate’s Coordinating Council for Charitable and Humanitarian Institutions at His Highness’ retreat in Al Helio, also saw the Ajman Ruler honouring outstanding students among the orphans, and all those who contributed to the event.

The event was attended by a number of Sheikhs and senior officials. Even the charitable body Emirates Red Crescent has pitched in to highlight the cause of, and help, orphans.

The same year, the ERC launched a new humanitarian initiative titled, ‘Orphans Kafalah Programme’, to support 10,000 orphans in 25 countries, under the slogan, ‘Be Their Families’.

The programme will target 10,000 orphans in 25 Arab and foreign countries, as well as in the UAE, in line with the ERC’s humanitarian and charity strategy, noting that its first phase will focus on 10 countries, he added.

The programme is a milestone for the ERC and coincides with the Year of Tolerance, complementing its previous humanitarian efforts during the Year of Zayed and Year of Giving, he further added.

The ERC has launched various projects that support poor families, orphans, students and people of determination, with those in the UAE receiving benefits of around Dhs300 per month while those outside the country are receiving Dhs150 to Dhs300 per month.