Ibrahim Jameel and Ahmad Saleem are good examples for this, says Zarie Al-Hakami, director of the center.
“Officials at the center were able to discover the amazing artistic talent of these Burmese children, who are now become good painters,” said Al-Hakami.
“The center is now collecting their paintings to display at a forthcoming charity bazaar.”
The money collected from this annual summer charity fundraiser will be given to these children when they leave the center or at the time of their deportation.
Makkah immigration officials handed these children to the center after their parents were arrested illegally staying in the Kingdom. “After discovering their artistic talent, we furnished the children with all materials, including colors, brushes and canvass to develop their talent,” Al-Hakami said.
“A total of 5,958 children have been deported after completion of rehabilitation program. Another 1,570 children were freed after regularizing their stay in the Kingdom.
They were given iqamas (residence permits) after payment of fines and undertaking a pledge not to return to begging.”
Al-Hakami said the center is receiving five to 10 children on a daily basis.
