JEDDAH: The Ministry of Social Affairs and the Nafa charitable organization are helping 1,178 orphans and 503 needy families with school books and stationery this year.

Sayd bin Ibrahim Al-Zahrani, director general of the charity, said that they are spending around SR350,000 under the ‘Back to School Program.’ He said that the mission of the ministry and charity is to help as many students as possible. These include children with disabilities and those with parents in prison.

Al-Zahrani said there are several other programs under way that are helping disadvantaged children throughout the year. The aim is to bring some happiness into their lives, he said.