JEDDAH, 3 July 2003 — The physical and emotional needs of families are the focus of the Al-Bir Charity Organization. Together with the major commitments of running its own orphanage and a home for the elderly, it also acts as a clearing-house for donations, directing them to areas and families identified as able to benefit most from a “little help from their friends.”

The women’s branch of Al-Bir Charity Organization is actively participating in the Jeddah Festival by offering a series of lectures every Tuesday evening at its headquarters near the Saudi German Hospital. The organization’s participation was prompted by the realization that during times of family festivity, it is a harsh reality that elderly or disadvantaged members are sidelined or ignored.

Eman Raffa, an Islamic studies researcher and active lecturer in various international Islamic organizations, gave the first lecture, on Tuesday. The theme of her talk centered on the difficulty of identifying what is most important for mothers in raising their children.

“We all know what is important for us as mothers to do for our children and what to teach them in terms of manners and relationships. There is, however, always something more important in every case. It’s taking the extra step or putting extra effort into the relationship,” she told Arab News. “It’s not about priorities because everything we teach our children is important so we have to be a good role models for them,” she said.

In her lecture, she gave examples and tips to mothers on how to add value to the relationship and reach that extra level of upbringing for their children.

Next Tuesday evening’s lecture at the same place is entitled “How to Develop Relationships Between Family Members” and the speaker will be Dr. Mona Al-Sawwaf, a psychiatrist at King Fahd Hospital.

Circus Opens Tonight: After minor difficulties with travel documents were resolved yesterday, all the performers for the Jeddah Festival circus are in town and ready to “get their act together” today. “It all looks good to go,” said Philip Gandey, who is managing the arrangements.