RIYADH: The Ministry of Social Affairs recently honored 20 academically gifted orphans whom it had earlier sent to Japan for ten days to visit attractions that include cultural and educational institutions.

Ministry of Social Affairs Undersecretary Dr. Abdullah Al-Miaiqil said that two supervisors accompanied the orphans on their trip held in cooperation with the Abdul Latif Jameel Social Initiatives.

“The program comes under the ministry’s initiatives to enhance the experience and expertise of gifted students, broaden their knowledge and inspire them to aspire for excellence,” he said.

He said that the trip included children between the ages of 14 and 18 years and who excelled in their studies. They come from the different regions of the Kingdom.

Talking about the trip, he said: “Through the journey we seek to stimulate academic excellence, achievement and work among the students so that they may develop self-esteem, integrate into the mainstream of society and make a name for themselves and become good examples to others.”

He added that during their trip to the Asian country, the students had educational activities, learned new behaviors, took up competitive games that stirred their interest in sportsmanship as well as brought friendships with new acquaintances.

“They also visited the Toyota company and places of entertainment that included Disneyland and different museums,” he said.

He added that the program was launched in 2005 in the Kingdom with the aim of making a difference in the lives of orphans.

Accompanied by two supervisors from the ministry, the students were received at the airport by Faisal Saleh, a representative from the Saudi Embassy in Tokyo.

He said that under the program, the ministry has been collaborating with the Abdul Lateef Jamil Social Initiatives for the past ten years. It also sponsored the trip.