She was barely 13 years of age when the devastating floods in Jeddah a few years ago killed eight members of her family.
Aseela Al-Otaibi was grief-stricken, but assistance and love came in the form of the late King Abdullah, late Crown Prince Sultan and Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman, who together gave her SR7 million.
Aseela’s uncle, Saad Al-Otaibi, was quoted as saying in a local publication recently that the family would never forget the support from the royal family.
He said the youngster was at his house when the tragedy struck. Her family had been swept away when the floodwater hit their home. The other members of the family had searched in vain for them.
“Our ordeal was grave beyond measure, but the affectionate feelings and condolences expressed by the Royal Court and the office of King Salman, in addition to the personal communication by the late Prince Sultan, who was overseas for medical treatment, made things easier for us, and helped to compensate for our loss,” he said. He said Aseela lost her father and mother, two brothers and four sisters.
“With the money she got from the royal family, we bought a building for her to secure her future. She is married and has a child now,” he said.
Flood orphan ‘adopted’ by royal family
