JEDDAH, 5 July — The McDonald’s restaurant on Tahlia Street here was transformed on Monday afternoon into a fantasy world brimming with excited children who had gathered there as part of a summer project.
With the children laughing, dancing, shouting and playing, it was the kind of scene that brings smile to your face and tears to your eyes — whatever your age.
And it wasn’t just the children who were happy. Ilham Harasani, the woman behind the summer project, was clearly feeling elated and so was Abdulrahman Alireza, general manager of McDonald’s in the Western Province.
Khaled Al-Maeena, editor-in-chief of Arab News, was enjoying as well. It was Al-Maeena who had dreamt up the idea of the children’s day out after meeting Harasani recently and highlighting her efforts in Arab News.
Aware of McDonald’s record of involvement in community welfare activities, Al-Maeena approached Abdulrahman Alireza for support; the response was an immediate “Yes!”
According to Harasani, the project for looking after the city’s orphaned children took shape in Jeddah last summer. After a highly successful year of operation, the program was expanded this year to include 10 children suffering from visual impairment.
Art, handicrafts and painting are major features of the children’s activities. They were included not as pastimes, but as a channel for children to express themselves and give vent to their emotions.
Makkah Governor Prince Abdul Majeed recently enjoyed viewing samples of their work and had his face drawn by one of the blind children. The young artist learned details of the prince’s face with the help of his highly sensitive fingertips.
Harasani explained that art is a medium through which the children can express their inner feelings. “Given the difficult social and physical circumstances of these children, this is an important outlet for their emotions. Art allows these children to express themselves in a very true manner. Their creations are not just for the walls of houses, offices and museums; they are living things.”
Another important part of the children’s program is mixing and interacting with members of the public in a way their circumstances might not normally permit. “What McDonald’s has done is a great thing for these children,” explained Harasani.
“These children often feel excluded from the world that you and I know, but today they feel accepted and welcome. They have the chance of doing what the majority of us take for granted.”
Speaking about McDonald’s sponsorship of the event, Abdulrahman Alireza said, “I was delighted — on a personal level as well as professionally — when Al-Maeena approached me with the suggestion that McDonald’s host this event. As a Muslim, I have a responsibility to look after those around me, and in seeking ways to do that, I must consider what best I can do to help them. So what better way to help children like these than to open my restaurants’ doors and let them share in an experience enjoyed by so many others?
“We are approached by groups and individuals all the time. We would love to be able to help them all but, sadly, we sometimes have to say no. Where we can help, we are more than happy to do so. Next year, we will be focusing our activities on a range of causes, and in keeping with the philosophy that underpins McDonald’s as a company in Saudi Arabia and throughout the world, family and children would be right at the center.
“I am so pleased that these children have thoroughly enjoyed themselves here this afternoon.”
And enjoy themselves the children certainly did. Within minutes of their arrival at the McDonald’s, Al-Maeena, clearly delighted at the unfolding celebrations, observed, “These children have happiness written all over their faces.”
Nine-year-old Mariam Abdulrahman was a picture of happiness. She kept running all over the place, merry-making. Eight-year-old Muhammad Al-Harban was overjoyed. “I had never seen a place like McDonald’s. I feel so happy. I am upset that I will have to go back to my place later in the day.”
Eight-year-old Anas Abdul Khaleq was lost in his own multicolored world of balloons. Occasionally he reappeared to access a welcome hamburger but then was gone, back to the color and texture that filled his life for the duration of the party. It was a wonderful feeling to see him smile the whole time.
Huda Abdul Malek, a nine-year-old girl, mingled with the crowd and was a special attraction at the event. She was very inquisitive, constantly asked questions and demanded complete answers while she looked in wonderment at what was for her a dream come true.
A special word of praise should go to the employees at McDonald’s who went out of their way to make the children comfortable. Every service was given with exceptional enthusiasm, the staff touched by the spirit of the day. Muhammad Shahed was particularly happy to see all the merriment and happiness around in the restaurant. “This is a rare opportunity to serve these children... They are part and parcel of our society... We all have a responsibility toward them....” Alfred, Ed and Priyanta, who organized special programs for the children, ably assisted Shahed.