JEDDAH, 10 February 2007 — Children that stay at state-run orphanages and with foster families will receive increased monthly allowances according to a new Ministry of Social Affairs decision that came into effect recently.
The decision was made by Minister of Social Affairs Abdul Mohsen Al-Akkas. “This is an extension of the support that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah is giving citizens,” said Awad Al-Raddadi, deputy minister of social affairs.
The increased allowances vary according to an orphan’s age and social status. Those who are below school age will receive SR200 while elementary school students will receive SR500. Intermediate school students will be given SR700, while SR900 will be given to secondary school pupils. University students will receive SR1,200.
Foster families who support orphans below school age will receive SR2,000 while families that support orphans that are at school will get SR3,000.
The Ministry of Social Affairs will also give SR20,000 to foster families when orphans grow up and are able to live independently. The new increase will also facilitate marriages for orphans by helping them meet marriage costs. The marriage award is SR60,000 for both males and females.
Saeed Al-Ghamdi, general manager of Social Affairs in the Makkah Province, said that increasing the financial support available for adoptive families encourages people to help support orphans.
“Anyone who wishes to adopt an orphan can apply to the Social Affairs in the region and it will study the condition of that family and accordingly agree on the details,” Al-Ghamdi said.
Families looking to adopt children must be able to offer a healthy environment for orphans. The Social Development Department in the Ministry of Social Affairs will at the same time supervise children.
The ministry is also in the process of establishing an orphanage that will be able to accommodate 300 orphans in the Makkah region. A rehabilitation center for the handicapped is also currently being built in Jeddah.
