(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The Dh156 million unique charity project Family Village that will ensure social, psychological, and economic stability for orphans here is expected to be completed this March, Khaleej Times has learnt.
According to a top official, the milestone venture, initiated by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, is developed at an investment of some Dh46 million.
Tayeb Al Rais, Secretary-General, Awqaf and Minors Affairs Foundation (Amaf), told Khaleej Times that a commercial project, being concurrently developed, is expected to cost approximately Dh110 million. "The commercial project will eventually sustain the operations of the Family Village." The Village, located in Al Warqaa-3, will not only provide a real home for up to 100 orphans but will also help in making them productive members of the society, he added.
"The second phase of the project, being as important as the first, has started, and all businessmen and companies are invited to support its completion."
Al Rais said the 167,000 sqft village that will include 16 villas will provide a real home for orphans, regardless of their parentage, in a balanced atmosphere with full-time mothers giving them the much-needed love and care. Each villa comprises five rooms and will accommodate eight children in all. It will serve as a bonded family unit with 'siblings', a 'mother' and all the necessary amenities.
The set up will also include 'aunties' who are helpers and a part of children's lives and a 'grandmother' who will oversee the day to day running of the village. Al Rais said the orphans - following an MoU between Amaf and SOS Children's Villages International - will enjoy best-in-class social, scientific, economic and cultural practices in child upbringing with a view to provide the underprivileged minors with appropriate care, rehabilitation and protection.
"The work we are doing for our orphaned children will show the community of the UAE, Gulf and internationally that in Dubai, we really care about our orphaned kids."
Urging donations, he said the Family Village has an account with the Noor Islamic Bank (001-4555555-0013) (IBAN: AE480520000145555550013), and donors may reach the foundation at phone No: (04-3662111).
"Donors who share our vision are welcome to participate in the village project. Let's provide these children with the opportunity to reach their full potential as citizens of our UAE community," he said, noting that the foundation is currently sponsoring 2,614 orphans, 2,575 minors, and 143 mentally incapacitated people.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.