King, Queen check on charity sheltering 125 children

AMMAN — Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania on Wednesday visited Al Hussein Social Foundation for Orphans where they checked on the conditions of the children there. 

At the foundation, which provides home for 125 children, the King and the Queen exchanged conversations with the children, and gave them presents, reflecting the spirit of solidarity and compassion. 

Smiles were drawn on children's faces, aged between 1 to 12 years, during Their Majesties' visit, who expressed their keenness on assisting and supporting this segment of the Jordanian community.  

Some of the children are orphans, while others are of unknown parents, victims of domestic violence or born in broken families, all staying at the foundation established to provide them with a home-like environment.

Their Majesties commended the workers and thanked them for their dedication in performing their humanitarian job.

During the visit, King Abdullah issued directives that all the foundation’s needs be secured, according to a Royal Court statement.

To further support the foundation, he requested that the orphanage be provided with a solar energy system to reduce energy costs and mitigate its financial burdens. He also requested concerned parties to examine the possibility of installing a solar energy system at other Ministry of Social Development welfare houses.  

Touring the foundation’s different sections, Their Majesties were briefed at the section of newborns by their nurses and surrogate mothers on different forms of care and services provided to the infants. The King and the Queen made sure that the children are provided with the care they need. 

At one of the foundation’s homes, housing nine children, the King and the Queen exchanged talk with the children, who are living together as one family and taken care of by a surrogate mother. 

Foundation Director Naziha Shatarat said its houses are very much like family houses, comprising children of different ages, adding that around 106 employees are working to provide them with health, social, education and extracurricular activities.

At the extracurricular activities’ section, children huddled around King Abdullah, and expressed their happiness with the Royal visit. 

Eleven-year-old Zain, who was drawing in the art section, told the King and the Queen about her hopes and dreams as they looked at some drawings and works of art that were on display.

Nasr, a 12-year-old boy, seemed overjoyed as he showed Their Majesties part of his works that were on display along works of other children from the foundation.

Established in 1953, the foundation works to provide care and a home for the children representing special cases and to ensure them proper upbringing until their social conditions become better. Then, they are to be returned to their families.     

Social Development Minister Reem Abu Hassan said the visit by the King and the Queen “brightened up the children’s spirits, especially that they need to feel care and sympathy”.

The visit also represents a great motivation for workers at welfare houses, she said, adding that the King’s directives on providing the foundation with a solar energy system will help reduce the foundation’s electricity and fuel costs which exceed JD6,000 monthly, and this way the saved funds will be used to improve the foundation’s other services.